Stuart Smith Hepler, Jr., son of Stuart and Mary Harris Hepler, was born July 2, 1896 in Prussia Township, Adair County, Iowa on the family home place. He passed away at the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield, Iowa June 9, 1988 at the age of 91 years, eleven months and nine days, after a short illness.Stuart's father passed away January 20, 1896 before his birth, so he never knew what it was to have a father. he was the youngest of ten children. He received his education in the rural school a short distance from his home, where his two oldest children also started to school. At the age of thirteen he began to work out as a hired man, to make his own way and farming was his livelihood.
On October 18, 1915, he was united in marriage to Lena L. Rechtenbach. to this union five children were born; Wilma, Stuart, or Bus as he was known, Madelene, Robert and Wava. They spent most of their married life farming and all of it in Adair County, except seventeen years spent in Adams County.
They retired to Bridgewater in February of 1962 and he worked several years at the lumber yard. He was also the Bridgewater Marshal several years.
Stuart and Lena were privileged to spend almost fifty-four years together. Lena passed away at their home July 1, 1969.
On August 19, 1971, he married Grace Ray Zellweger, they lived six years in Bridgewater before moving to Greenfield. They had 15 years of married life and had several trips and good times while Grace was able to do so. Grace passed away February 11, 1987.
On March 1, 1988 he married Irene Breakenridge at the Methodist Parsonage in Orient, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife Irene; his children, Wilma Ford and husband Otis of Bridgewater, Iowa, Madelene McCall and husband Louis of Bridgewater, Iowa, Robert Hepler and wife Dorothy of Greenfield, Iowa, Wava Ruch and husband LeRoy of Prescott; daughter-in-law Zola Hepler Clark of Fontanelle, Iowa; a half sister, Beneva Stewart of Fontanelle, Iowa; two step-children, Ralph Breakenridge and wife Georgena of Macksburg, Iowa and Ruth Ott and husband Orlo of Orient, Iowa. Twelve grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and nine great great grand-children. Nine step grandchildren and thirteen step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wives Lena and Grace, his parents, son Stuart (Bus), one grandson Harlan Ruch, two great grandchildren, Lyle and Rita Ford, five brothers, William, Frank, Grove, Henry and Norman; four sisters, Clara Neuman, susan in infancy, Dora Lane and Goldia Nelson; and a half brother, Norval.
He leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.