Albert A. Apa, 83, of Springfield, died at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 at his home. Albert was born June 5, 1921 in Chicago, the son of Michael J. and Rose Marie Tenuta Apa. He married Betty Jones in 1949 and she preceded him in death in 1983. He married Diane Attebery on June 4, 1988 at the Lake Springfield Yacht Club. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during WWII, where he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars, three Overseas Service Bars, Army of Occupation Medal Germany and a Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Apa had been employed by the Chicago Police Department for 32 years, achieving the rank of Sergeant and then worked in Springfield for 13 years as Executive Director of Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, retiring in 1992. He was awarded the Award of Excellence in Law Enforcement Training for Lifetime Achievement in 1992. He was a member of IAPA-Italian American Police Association, and was involved with many law enforcement organizations, and heavily involved in law enforcement legislation. He served on the board for Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and also served on the Advisory Board of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glencoe, GA. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, enjoyed reading, and was of the Catholic faith. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jones Apa; twin infant brothers; one brother, Anthony A. Apa; and sister-in-law, Louisa Apa. He is survived by his wife, Diane G. Apa of Springfield; a daughter, Candice Sue (Dennis) Enders of Des Moines, IA; sons, Rick (Janet) Gooch and Chad (Teresa) Gooch, both of Kirksville, MO; five grandchildren, Eric Enders, Ethan, Andrew and Olivia Gooch and Sierra Grimm; sister, Grace Apa of Chicago; brothers, Victor (Marie) Apa of West Palm Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Larry (Regina) Attebery of Ballwin, MO; two nephews, Michael (Carol) Apa and Anthony (Karen) Apa; mother-in-law, Luella H. Atterberry of Kirksville, MO; and several cousins. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a Prayer Service at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Rev. Msgr. John R. Ossola Celebrant. Graveside Services will be on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004 at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Illinois, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702-9914 or American Cancer Society, 1305 Wabash, Suite J, Springfield, IL 62704. The family of Albert A. Apa is being servied by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please visit our online obituary at www.kirlin-egan-butler.com
