Harold M. Kepner's Obituary
Harold Max Kepner, age 82, of Centerville, Iowa, died Monday, March 7, 2011 at Golden Age Care Center in Centerville. He was born the son of Max and Bernice Pearl (Young) Kepner on July 19, 1928 in Creston, Iowa. He graduated from the Creston Community Schools in 1946; the US Army Finance School in St. Louis, Missouri in 1946; Creston Junior College in 1950; the University of Iowa in Iowa City in 1952; and Northwest Missouri State University in 1963 with his Masters Degree in Business Education. He later would work on his PhD at Indiana State University.He earned three Honorable discharges from the United States Army, 1946, 1948 and 1951. Harold was first united in marriage to Joy Adele Ray in February of 1949 and later, would marry Loretta Kay Owens on November 17, 1979 in Centerville, Iowa. He had been a high school teacher in Business Education at Blockton, New Virginia, Garrison, Redfield and Centerville, Iowa. He was a college instructor for two years at the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. He served both the Centerville Junior College and Indian Hills Community College from 1960 through 1990. He was a teacher for over 40 years and took great pride in the personal accomplishments of his students. Harold was a Past Commander of Post #214 of Centerville American Legion and the AmVets. He received a national award as a 5 year Veterans Administration Volunteer Service Representative for Iowa Veterans Hospitals in Knoxville and Iowa City, Iowa. Harold was a member of the Jackson Lodge #42 of the Masonic order in Centerville, the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Kaaba Shrine Club in Davenport, Iowa and the Hillbillies in Moravia, Iowa as well as the Legion of Honor and Elks Lodge #940 in Centerville. He was named the Homecoming King at the Golden Age Care Center during 2010 Homecoming week.He was preceded in death by: his parents; his first wife, Joy Kepner on February 11, 1987; brothers, Robert and Gene Kepner; and a sister, Margaret June Adams.Harold is survived by: his wife, Loretta Kay Kepner of Centerville, Iowa; sons, Dennis and his wife, Charla Kepner of Centerville, Iowa, Bruce Kepner of Centerville, Iowa, Greg and his wife, Gina Kepner of Ottumwa, Iowa, Tim and his wife, Sherri Kepner of Avon, Iowa and Tom Kepner of Des Moines, Iowa; sisters, Joyce Brown and Betty Anderson both of St. Joseph, Missouri; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dillon and his wife, Angela Kepner and their children, Payton and Avery of Des Moines, Iowa, Brandon and his wife, Lisa Kepner and their children, Bronson and Alexis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Haley Jo Kepner of Cincinnati, Iowa, Dennis Gene Kepner of Lake Wood, Colorado, Charlie Kepner and his daughter, Mirabelle of Des Moines, Iowa, Collin Kepner of Ottumwa, Iowa, Derek Kepner and his daughter, Michayla of Des Moines, Iowa and Abby and Addison Kepner of Cincinnait, Iowa.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 11 am the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Walter King officiating. Burial with full military honors by Centerville Area Veterans will follow at the Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011 with the family present from 6 pm until 8 pm and a Masonic service at 7:30 pm at the funeral home.Memorials can be made to Hospice of Central Iowa and can be mailed to or left at the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Harold M. Kepner please visit our Sympathy Store.
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