Joseph M. Wapner; Attorney, Judge’s Father
Joseph M. Wapner, retired attorney and the father of retired Judge Joseph A. Wapner of “The People’s Court” TV show, has died at his Sherman Oaks home. He was 94.
The senior Wapner died Thursday of natural causes, said his daughter-in-law, Mickey Wapner of Los Angeles.
Born in Russia, Wapner came to the United States in 1906, became a naturalized citizen and earned a law degree from the University of Southern California. For 25 years, he was president of Congregation Beth Israel, the oldest Orthodox synagogue in Los Angeles and was active with several charitable organizations.
His son, a retired Los Angeles Superior Court judge, is known for deciding actual small-claims cases on “The People’s Court,” a show that went on the air in 1981.
In addition to his son, Wapner is survived by his daughter, Irene Franklin of Los Angeles; sister Esther Arbeitel of Beverly Hills; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His wife, Fanny Wapner, died 2 1/2 years ago.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday at Congregation Beth Israel, 8056 Beverly Blvd. Private entombment will follow at Beth Olam Cemetery in Hollywood.
Glasband-Willen Mortuary in West Hollywood is handling the arrangements.
Donations can be made in Wapner’s name to Congregation Beth Israel or the Brandeis-Bardin Institute in Simi Valley.
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