Deacon Lawrence DeCapp

EAST PEORIA — A memorial Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, at St. Mary of Lourdes Church in Germantown Hills for Deacon Lawrence Leroy DeCapp, 72, a permanent deacon who served that parish as well as St. Mary in Metamora.

Deacon DeCapp, who was also active in Cursillo leadership, died at his home on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, after a five-year battle with myeloma.

Father Greg Jozefiak and Father Vien Van Do will concelebrate the memorial Mass. Social distancing and masks will be required. A walk-through visitation is planned from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. For family and friends unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed on the St. Mary of Lourdes site on YouTube.

Burial in St. Mary of Lourdes Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Born Dec. 12, 1948, in Moline to Albert and Anne (DeBlieck) DeCapp, he was the youngest of their five children. He married Patricia “Patty” Hartness on Dec. 13, 1969, in East Peoria.

Deacon DeCapp moved to the Peoria area in 1970 to take part in the electrical apprentice program at Caterpillar. He graduated with honors from Bradley University with bachelor and master of science degrees in computers.

He worked at Caterpillar for many years and then later at Advanced Technology Service, Digital Equipment Company, Business Communication Systems, and G&D Integrated, from which he retired.

A member of the Diocese of Peoria’s eighth class of permanent deacons, he was ordained by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on May 19, 2007, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. His diaconate service at the Germantown Hills and Metamora faith communities included helping couples prepare for marriage and working with parents preparing for the baptism of their first child.

He was also active in the Cursillo movement, serving as a team member and spiritual director on many weekends. In addition, Deacon DeCapp was caretaker of the grounds at St. Mary of Lourdes Church and cemetery. A notary auditor, he worked with many members of the Catholic community seeking annulments.

Deacon DeCapp is survived by his wife, Patty; a daughter-in-law, Hallie DeCapp; grandchildren Kaleb and Kylee DeCapp; sisters Betty Plumb of Port Byron, and Pat (Morry) Popelier of East Moline; a brother-in-law, Ron Lampe, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kent Michael DeCapp; and two sisters, Janet Lampe and Doris Seams.

Memorials may be made to Illinois Cancer Care Center, 8940 North Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615; St. Mary of Lourdes Church Building Fund, 424 Lourdes Church Road, Metamora, IL 61548; or Traditions Hospice, 3000 North Main Street, Unit C, East Peoria, IL 61611.