WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Vincent Carl Hepner, lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, Jan. 11, 2014, at Heritage Senior Living Community in Kalamazoo.
He was born June 8, 1922, in Sherman Township, to the late Clark A. and Hilda L. (Kruger) Hepner. Vincent resided almost his entire life at the home in which he was born.
On March 2, 1951, he married Donna L. (Sutherland) Hepner, who preceded him in death in 2010.
Vincent was a farmer who began working at an early age alongside his father. He was devoted to his farm and enjoyed working it until his later years. Following his retirement from farming, he worked at Glen Oaks Community College for 11 years. He was a former member of Salem Lutheran Church, Farm Bureau, plus a youth participant and adult leader in his local 4-H club.
Vincent enjoyed country life, his property on Thompson Lake and watching competitive athletics. He was a fan of college football and basketball, following both the University of Michigan and Michigan State University teams. His true love of sports was devoted to baseball and in particular the Detroit Tigers. He became a fan of the Tigers in the 1930s, listening to games on the radio and still was a fan of them until the last few years of his life. He enjoyed going to Detroit every summer with family or friends to watch a couple of games at Tiger Stadium and then later Comerica Park.
He is survived by two sons, Duane Hepner of Sturgis and Don (Monica) Hepner of Richland; two granddaughters, Rebecca (Ian-Captain USAF) Hepner-Liston of Las Vegas and Marissa Hepner of Ann Arbor. He is also survived by a cousin, Thomas (Gene) Storms of California.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Vincent C. Hepner will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis. Visitation for friends and family will begin at noon prior to the service. The Rev. Deborah Johnson of First United Methodist Church will officiate. A graveside committal of the ashes will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a donation in Mr. Hepner’s memory consider the American Lung Association or American Heart Association.
His obituary is also listed at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
