OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Paul Earl Tapley, 73, of Olive Branch, died Monday, July 31, 1995, in Thebes.

He was born Nov. 10, 1921, in Thebes, son of Floyd and Virgie King Tapley.

Tapley was a retired heavy equipment operator with Local 318 Operating Engineers of Harrisburg. He was a member of the local union 46 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Nona Whitaker of Thebes, Lisa Honey of Olive Branch; his mother, Virgie Cochran of East Cape Girardeau; a sister, Elsie McKee of Tamms; three brothers, Clifford Tapley of Thebes, Bob Tapley of East Cape, and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers.

Friends may call at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms after 5 p.m. today.

Funeral srevice will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Billy Don Heady officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Thebes.