The Rev. John C. Kounthapanya, 78, Tecumseh, died Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at his home. Born March 30, 1929, in Savannaket, Laos. United Methodist minister.
Survivors: daughters, Dalavy Sitthisak of Tecumseh, Radj Houmphan of Udorn, Thailand, Douangpi Joy Chai of Puyallup, Wash., Rasmy Sounthala of Lakeville, Minn.; sons, Prachit “Paul” Kounthapanya of Tecumseh, Vorachit “Tom” Kounthapanya of Burnsville, Minn., Bryan Kounthapanya of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Steve Kounthapanya of Chicago, Ill.; grandchildren, Damali, Long, Johnny, Matthew, David, Melinda and Jonathan Kounthapanya, Rachel and Phillip Houmphan, Courtney and Darick Chai, Leslie, Heather, Emerald and Eden Kounthapanya and Adrian Sounthala; sisters, Khamphou Kounthapanya of Ontario, Canada, Nith Ratthahao of Elgin, Ill., Keooudom Luangkhamdeng of Surrey, Canada, Kay Kong of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Keovandy Phaphoom and Douangnaly Chantharbngsouk of Ontario, Canada; brothers, Khamphone Kounthapanya of Vientiane, Laos, and Tha Vone Kounthapanya of Surrey, Calif. Preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Louann.
Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, First United Methodist Church, 190 N. Fourth St., Tecumseh. Burial: Tecumseh Cemetery. Visitation: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Wherry Mortuary, Third and Jackson streets, Tecumseh, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Prayer service: 6 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. Memorials to the First United Methodist Missionary Fund or a scholarship in his name.