Robert August Hepler 1924-1997
Robert August Hepler was born Aug. 15, 1924, to Stuart Smith and Lena Louise Rechtenbach Hepler in Adams County. He passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997, at the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield at the age of 72.
He grew up on a farm in the Bridgewater area and attended rural school. Robert was baptized as an adult on Friday, June 20, 1952, and confirmed on Sunday, June 22, 1952, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle by Pastor Paul Lutz.
On Dec. 18, 1947, Robert was united in marriage to Dorothy Kreis at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. To this union two children were born Fred and Linda.
Bob was a farmer and spent his entire life tilling the soil except for the two years he spent serving his country in the U.S Navy with Company No. 876 during W.W. II. Even though he couldn't swim, he spent those two years in the Navy on a ship.
Bob and Dorothy farmed many years in Prussia Township near Prussia Center and after retiring moved to their present home in Greenfield in 1985. "Big Bob" as his friends called him, enjoyed playing cards at the sale barn, mowing the yard on his riding mower and always finding something for the kids to do when they came to visit. He especially enjoyed his grandsons and took them fishing often.
Bob was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, The Fontanelle American Legion, Carlson Post No. 247 and the Greenfield VFW No. 5357.
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb 28, 1:30 p.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, with the Rev. Don Rothweiler conducting the services.
Zola Westphal, organist, and congregational singing provided the music. Pallbearers were Jim Hepler, Scott Steele, Kevin Steele, Gale Helm, Marvin Ford, and Terry Hepler. Joan Baier and Phyllis Jacobson served as floral bearers.
Interment was at the Fontanelle Cemetery. Full military graveside rites were provided by the Fontanelle American Legion Carlson Post No. 247 and the Greenfield VFW Post No. 5357. Steen Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Stuart and Lena, and a brother, Stuart Ernest Hepler.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, Greenfield; son, Fred Hepler, and fiancee, Amy Lenzi, Champaign, Ill; daughter and husband, Linda and Pastor Harold McMillin, Guttenberg; three grandsons, Jim Hepler and Kevin and Scott Steele; two step-grandchildren, Tim McMillin and Denise Shaffer, and husband, Kyle; sisters and their husbands, Wilma and Otis Ford, and Madeline and Louis McCall, all of Bridgewater, and Wava and LeRoy Ruch, Prescott; sisters-in-law, Irene Hohman, Longmont, Colo., and Louise Kries, Greenfield; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.