Miles Luthy Appling, 96, of Kansas City, Mo. formerly of Lebanon, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.
He was born Dec. 25, 1924, in Laclede County, Mo. to Guy and Julia Luthy Appling.
On Feb. 26, 1950, he married June Irene Davis of Fort Smith, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents and his three sisters and their husbands, Eleanor and Paul DeBerry, Virginia and Olan O’Quinn and Marjorie and Dean Hough; two nephews, Alan DeBerry and Kevin O’Quinn and the infant grandson of John David and Peggy Appling, David Elijah Appling.
Miles and June went into the grocery business in Lebanon in 1950. In 1954 they moved to Ventura, Calif. where he was a meat cutter. In 1959 the family returned to Lebanon to resume the grocery business. The Appling Grocery served the people of Lebanon, and over the years employed dozens of wonderful people who became like family.
He was an ordained Elder at White Oak Pond Cumberland Presbyterian Church, serving in that capacity for many years as well as a Sunday School teacher. He and June devoted many years of service to God in that congregation. Their faith in Christ and devotion to the church was the heart of their lives. He became a member of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Kansas City in his last years of life where he received loving and faithful ministry of pastors and many friends. His more than 50-year membership and active participation in Gideon’s International was of great importance to Miles as he helped raise money for the purchase and distribution of Bibles.
Survivors include his sons: Phil (Linda) Appling of Kansas City, Mo. and John (Peggy) Appling of Springfield; grandsons: Zach Appling of Springfield; Matthew (Cheri) Appling of Liberty; Ben (Heather) Appling of Springfield, and Aaron (Tanya) Appling of Kansas City, Mo.; great-grandchildren: Calder and Whit Appling of Liberty; Charlotte (Charli) and Sawyer Appling of Kansas City,Mo. and Evelyn (Evie) Appling of Springfield. Additionally, Miles is survived by his nephews and nieces and their families: Charles DeBerry, Keith (Pam) O’Quinn, Rick O’Quinn, Beth DeBerry (Kent) Long, Gail O’Quinn (Dean) McKinney, Lee Ann O’Quinn (Darren) Neal, and Mari O’Quinn (Chris) Harrill. In addition, Miles is survived by a host of dear friends.
A private graveside service for Miles Luthy Appling will be conducted at a later date at Lebanon Cemetery by his sons, Rev. Phil Appling and Rev. John Appling under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Friends may call at their convenience. Memorials have been suggested to Gideon’s International, White Oak Pond Presbyterian Church or King of Kings Lutheran Church. Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948 or 1001 N. Lynn, Lebanon, Mo. 65536. Sign guestbook at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
