Emmett Eugene Capes, 88, of Rochelle, passed away Friday, September 9, 2022, at his home. He was born June 2, 1934, in Flagg Center, the son of Lorenzo and Mabel (Shelton) Capes. He was the 4th of 12 children. He married Carol Anne Vanderpool on November 18, 1961 in Steward.

Emmett loved his family very much, he treasured his wife Carol and were to be married 61 years on November 18, 2022. He loved his children and adored his grand and great grandchildren. He and Carol would host many family events including reunions, weddings, anniversaries and more. He also enjoyed cheering on his kids at sporting and musical events or even just talking about their jobs and lives. Emmett loved to hunt, fish, play Euchre, mow lawn, write poetry and work the room with his sense of humor and charm. What he really found value in was work! At a very young age, he would work on farms, help his father and brothers fix well pumps and even work on windmills, while not liking heights! He went on to excel at selling cars, working at several factories, and then forming E&C rentals with his wife Carol. Though of retirement age, he was never retired. He also enjoyed and appreciated the Rochelle St. Paul Lutheran Church and Praise Team, the Rochelle Moose and VFW. There is no replacement for such a fine man, he will be greatly missed by his family & friends.

Emmett is survived by his wife of almost 61 years Carol; three children, Greg (Heidi) Capes, Todd (Deb Fletcher) Capes, and Sharon Rush; daughter-in-law, Cindy Capes; four grandchildren, Randy Capes Jr., Brittany (Caleb) Baucom, Karli Rush, and Amber (Jordan) Panauski; six great-grandchildren, Randy Capes III, Vivian, Rose, and Scarlett Baucom, Dorothy Streit, and Arabella Panauski; honorary great-grandchildren, Nicholas Underhile and Payton Fletcher; and seven siblings.

In addition to his parents, Emmett is preceded in death by an infant son, Timothy Capes; son, Randy Eugene Capes; and four siblings.

The funeral service will be at 12:00 P.M. Friday, September 16, 2022, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle with Pastor Gregory Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service Friday at the church. Burial will follow at White Rock Cemetery in Kings, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Serenity Hospice and Home of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Please visit www.ungerhorner.com for online guest book.