May 23, 1929 – January 18, 2026
Pattambalath Varughese Kuruvilla, known as “Appachen” or grandpa in Malayalam, was called to meet Jesus on January 18, 2026.
Appachen’s life spanned 96 years: immigrating from rural India to the deep South of the United States and then migrating to the urban Midwest. He faced economic poverty and stability, spiritual depression and vitality. His loyal and stubborn will was as strong as his communal and generous heart. He was a pioneer, a father-figure, an advocate, and a prayer warrior. Though physically small in stature, he was a spiritual and relational giant.
Appachen was born on May 23, 1929, in Kerala, India, to P.K. Varughese and Rachel Simon. Recognizing Appachen’s sharp mind and discipline, his father selected him to pursue a college education for the long-term provision of his six siblings.
Life-threatening illnesses as a young boy, failed exams, difficulty learning English in college, and marriage to Thankamma (“Ammachy” in Malayalam) from Padinjatheil House in Keezhvaipure, Kerala, in 1953, delayed his college graduation until the age of 25. By his late 20s, Appachen & Ammachy had lost two infant children and had one surviving daughter, Rachel. Several job rejections and closed doors left him unable to support his family.
It was at rock bottom that God met Appachen. Through the guidance of two godly men, Appachen surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, set aside his career aspirations, and went to Bible school. A brief time as a missionary to Andhra Pradesh ended with financial strain and family tragedies. Reverend P.J. Thomas invited Appachen to join the faculty of Sharon Bible College in India. In 1963, when Appachen was 34, he was provided an opportunity by Thomas to come to the United States to attend a Bible College.
A stranger’s generosity led Appachen to enroll at Mississippi State University to pursue a master’s degree in the height of the civil rights crisis. More unusual provisions followed: two poor families supported him with housing and a stipend for Ammachy in India, a tuition bill was paid by a classmate’s church, and strangers helped him hitchhike to and from school daily.
Appachen graduated just after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was passed, allowing Asian international students to become immigrants. A job opportunity brought him to Kankakee, Illinois. After five years apart, he was reunited with Ammachy and 12-year-old Rachel, and soon after, the family moved to Moline, Illinois, for a new job opportunity. From that time on, the three of them were rarely apart. Appachen eventually landed a career at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, where he spent the next two decades.
Appachen became the default dad and grandpa for a growing community of immigrants. With the help and strength of his wife, their home was a hub of fellowship, food, and love. Over the course of the next 50 years, Appachen was a pillar in several churches. In the 1970s, he helped found one of the first Indian Pentecostal churches in Chicago. He was a winsome and lengthy preacher, able to effortlessly weave historical facts into his deep love of the Bible. Just a week before his passing, Appachen finished leading a weekly Bible class that had been meeting for over 20 years.
Appachen’s love for Jesus and his quadruple bypass surgery in 1988 shaped his disciplined life. Appachen retired early in 1990 to begin his next, unpaid career as the equivalent of a second dad to his four grandkids. He was a daily presence in their lives, providing regular discipline, punctual rides, astute navigational skills, and German chocolate cake for birthdays.
Daily, he would wake up with Ammachy at 5 AM, read the Bible, pray, and then walk about four miles on a treadmill. He would then spend the majority of the day reading. Before bed, he and Ammachy would once again read the Bible and pray. In total, they read through the Bible aloud 64 times together. Countless people and situations were covered in prayer through their faithful dependence on God.
Known to be strict, stubborn, and outspoken, Appachen softened in his last two decades. He was gentle, warm, and playful, though still willing to debate a point on topics as wide as biblical interpretation, history, and politics. Since the passing of Ammachy in 2019, Rachel and Titus cared for Appachen in their home.
On January 18, 2026, he closed the Sunday service in prayer and benediction. By afternoon, with chest pain and shortness of breath, Appachen walked himself into the ER. As he was dying, he prayed, “My Lord, whether I die or live, I am Yours.” A few minutes later, Appachen went from life to death to eternal life.
This is Appachen’s story. A full life of honoring God and loving people. Its significance won’t be measured in dollars and cents or titles and popularity. His life is defined by steady leadership, resilient faith, vibrant community, and a deep hope in a life to come where all will be made right.
And now his hope is reality.
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Appachen is survived by his devoted daughter, Rachel Mathews, and her husband, Titus. Appachen has four grandchildren: James (Anitha), Justin (Lisa), Josh (Ruthie), and Liz (Kevin) Shedden. He was always excited to see his great-grandchildren: Josiah, Meghan, Rebekah, Zachary, Tommy, Maddy, Hannah, Hope, Abigail, Judah, Olive, and Titus.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 67 years, Thankamma, siblings Annamma Joseph, Mariamma Skariah, P.V. Samuel, and Saramma Thomas, and his great-grandson, Owen. He is survived by siblings Aleyamma Kurien and P.V. Simon. His nephew, Sam (Shaila) Kuruvilla, and their kids Stephanie (Jake) and Daniel (Emma) held a special place in his heart.
His church family at Sharon Fellowship has been just that, family. There are countless family and friends across the world who will miss him dearly but rejoice in the hope that they will see him again.
Services will be held at Kenosha Bible Church (5405 67th St.). Visitation Friday, Jan. 30th, 5–6p; service 6–9p. Funeral Saturday, Jan. 31, 9-12 p.m. Interment will follow at St. George Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Gideons International (tinyurl.com/appagive).
SERVICES
Visitation
Friday, January 30, 2026
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Kenosha Bible Church
5405 67th St.
Kenosha, WI 53142
Service
Friday, January 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Kenosha Bible Church
5405 67th St.
Kenosha, WI 53142
Funeral
Saturday, January 31, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Kenosha Bible Church
5405 67th St.
Kenosha, WI 53142
