Obituaries

Lois Elaine Tappa, 90, a longtime Sherman resident, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at her home. A Celebration of Lois’ life will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sherman at 11:00 AM. Rev. Lander Bethel of Grand Avenue Presbyterian and Rev. John Williams, Chaplain of Austin College in Sherman will officiate.

Lois was born on July 25, 1932, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Lois and Henry Burgy. She was raised in Monroe and graduated from high school in 1950. She attended University of Wisconsin-Madison and met the love of her life, Richard Tappa. They married on June 18, 1955, at the First Methodist Church in Monroe. From there they moved to New York where Lois taught music in an elementary school in Long Island and her husband attended Union Theological Seminary and received his degree as a minister of music. They had their only child, Richelle (Shelly) Tappa, while teaching in Tennessee. After studying and teaching in Bloomington, Indiana, Lois, Dick and Shelly moved to Sherman where Lois taught elementary school and her husband began working at Austin College.

During her lifetime in Sherman, Lois played cello in the Sherman Symphony. She also taught piano to elementary through high school students in her home. She was a dedicated member of Covenant Presbyterian Church for many years. Lois had a bright smile and enjoyed singing in her church choir. She was also an important member of the Tuesday Literary Book Club.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert, and her husband Richard. She is survived by her daughter, Richelle (Shelly) McCauley and her husband Michael; two grandchildren: Christopher and Stephanie McCauley; and her two nieces: Andrea Burgy and Roberta Anderson.