The Rev. John C. Kounthapanya

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.