Pastor Edmund Henry Kannapel II

Pastor Edmund Henry Kannapel II, who had been battling cancer, died Saturday July 10, 2021, at the age of 73. He was born March 13, 1948 in Chicago the son of Edmund and Beverly (Buck) Kannapel. He married Linda Kimble Schwamberger on July 6, 2018 at St. Joseph Church in Bradley. Pastor Edmund Kannapel created and operated the Gift of God Street Church and men’s homeless shelter in Kankakee since 2008. Prior to 2008, he worked at a mission in Chicago and with inmates as a chaplain in the Cook County Jail. He developed a passion for the homeless after experiencing homelessness himself for 17 years. He served the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and received three purple hearts. He is survived by his wife, Linda Kannapel; stepson Michael (Cindy) Schwamberger of North Carolina; daughters, Kristen Lyons of South Carolina, and Becky Kannapel of Alabama; brother, James Kannapel of California; special nephew Jacob Kannapel and family of Indiana. Pastor Edmund Kannapel is proceeded in death by his parents; former wife, Carole Kannapel; sister, Geraldine. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 13, from 12:30 until the memorial service at 1pm with a luncheon immediately following. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be made to Gift of God Street Church, Fifth Avenue, Kankakee, IL. Jensen Funeral home is handling the arrangements.