Epler, Rev. Stephen J. 1880-1976

EPLER, PARMENTER, VICKERS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/27/2013 at 15:14:28

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Nov. 4, 1976

SERVICES HELD SUNDAY MORNING FOR MR. EPLER

The Rev. Stephen J. Epler, 96, died Sunday morning in Midwest City, Okla., where he had been living with his daughter the past few years. He formerly served as pastor of the Grinnell and Madison Churches of Christ.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Grinnell Christian Church, with the Rev. John Epperson, pastor of the church, officiating. Organist was Mrs. Harvey Martindale, and pallbearers were Burdette Abel, Verner Bolen, Melvin Doty, Herbert Kleiss, James Lang, and Don Larsen. Honorary pallbearers were Harold Cocking, John Green, Eugene Lang, Larry Mindrup, Norman Pierce, Robert K. Toney, and Warren Wolf. Flower bearers were Mrs. Verner Bolen, Mrs. Herbert Kleiss, and Mrs. Joe Shimp.

Burial was at Hazelwood Cemetery, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

He was born on March 15, 1880, near Julian, Neb. He attended the Pleasant Valley Elementary School and was graduated from Tecumseh High School in Nebraska. He received his A.B. degree from Cotner College in Lincoln, Neb., and his doctorate of sacred literature from Christian Bible College, Denver, Colo.

On Sept. 12, 1906, he was married to Claudia Blanche Parmenter at Lincoln. The couple had four children.

The Rev. Mr. Epler had held pastorates at Brooklyn, West Liberty and Fairfield, Ia.; Lincoln and Alliance, Neb.; Norton and Bonner Springs, Kan.; and Hominy, Okla., as well as Grinnell.

He was active in Masonic organizations, having held 50-year memberships in several lodges. He was also a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge and the Rebekahs of Norton, Kan.

Survivors include three children, Dr. Stephen E. Epler of Fremont, Calif., Mrs. M.M. (Irene) Vickers of Midwest City, Okla., and Dr. Paul G. Epler of El Cajon, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1964, four sisters, and six brothers.