Gary Kenneth Appelman, 78, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2023. He was born on July 25, 1944, in Wichita to the late Kenneth Appelman and Lovina (Goodell) Appelman.
He attended school in Goddard, where he graduated high school in 1962. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Margaret “Kay” Matzen, on Aug. 8, 1964. To this union were born two children whom they raised in their home in Viola.

Gary enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 21, following completion of light weapons infantryman course, officer candidate school, Infantry Officer Basic and Jungle Operations courses. He served in
combat as an infantry rifle platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division in the jungles of
Vietnam. Some of his subsequent assignments included Company Commander, Battalion
Executive Officer, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 137th Infantry and Assistant Operations Officer,
35th Infantry Division. Gary retired as a major. In addition to the Combat Infantry Badge, his
decorations include Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and many
other awards.
After the U.S. Army, Gary spent the rest of his career working as a contractor until retirement. He loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, often times fishing, playing in the creek by their home, attending school events, and picking sand plums.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, his parents, and his brother, Ray Appelman. He is survived by his children; Mike (Christie) Appelman, and Karla (Bill) Voss; sister, Joyce Sinclair; eight grandchildren, Kimberly Appelman, Spencer (Deanna) Basoco, Alex (Kayla) Basoco, Cheyenne Appelman, Shawnee Appelman, Colton (Ashley) Howell, Kaleb (Megan) Howell, and Jacob Howell; and eight great-grandchildren.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at Garden Plain Community Church, with lunch to follow at the senior center in Garden Plain.