Danville Funeral Owner Dies in Crash

A Danville funeral home owner died in a single-vehicle crash along Interstate 57 in Kankakee County. Illinois State Police say 70-year-old E.R. 'Bob' Pape III died when the van he was driving left the interstate and ran into a creek.

Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner says Pape was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:35 pm Wednesday. State Police report the van driven by Pape was southbound when it left the highway for some unknown reason.

Pape was headed home to Danville following a trip to Russia when the crash occurred.

The Danville Noon Rotary Club members said Pape had a passion about helping children at an orphanage in Russia.

As a Rotarian, Pape was named a Paul Harris Fellow. It is the highest award that a person can receive from Rotary International.

The Pape Memorial Home and Gardens in Danville says funeral arrangements are incomplete.

94.1 FM, WGFA