Chuck Hepner

Chuck Hepner, 80, died Wednesday night, March 29, 2023 at Altercare of Bucyrus where he resided.

The late Charles Alfred and Bernice “Bee” (Steiger) Hepner welcomed their firstborn child, Charles Arthur Hepner, on October 10, 1942 in Adrian, Michigan. The family moved around the Detroit area where Chuck graduated from Denby High School in 1960 before enlisting in the US Navy. Chuck served aboard destroyers and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he fondly remembered (ok, bragged about) carrying Barbara Eden’s bags while she was on a USO visit. Upon his discharge in 1963, Chuck moved to his parents’ new home in Bucyrus where he met Lynn Kisor, a young lady who lived two doors down and sometimes babysat for his kid brother and sister. Lynn found him fun, spontaneous, and charismatic and they were married from December 24, 1966 until she preceded him in death on February 4, 2022.

Chuck “reeled hose at Swan for $2.29 an hour” to provide for his family while studying education at The Ohio State University. After graduating in 1972, he worked as a 5th and 3rd grade teacher in Galion City Schools for 26 years and often painted houses during the summer. Upon retirement, he worked part time as a guard for Timken and at the movie theater in Bucyrus to supplement his spending habits and passion for golf. Mostly, he enjoyed retiring to his recliner where he could watch television and listen to his beloved big band music. What Chuck lacked in social graces, he made up for in passion and heart. His charisma in the classroom was shown through stimulating science experiments and walls brimming with visual aids. You could not walk into his room without learning something. We apologize if you were one of the perfect strangers he approached at a restaurant, store, or on the street to receive an unsolicited lesson on whatever topic he was interested in at the time. He loved children, especially the underdogs, and saw to it that they were advocated for and well taught. He loved his long-awaited grandsons the most, and eagerly shared news about them with visitors and nursing home staff alike.

Chuck is survived by children, Jennifer (Nate) Roshon and Chris (Berdina) Hepner; grandsons, Ben and Sam Roshon; brother, Mark (Carol) Hepner; sister, Sandy (Gary) Ogle; and his much loved nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather with Chuck’s family on Thursday, April 13 at the Oakwood Cemetery Columbarium. Military rites by the US Navy Honor Guard and Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail will begin at 12 noon, followed by his graveside funeral with Pastor Bill Strader officiating, and then all are invited to a light luncheon at First Alliance Church.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are encouraged to be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators and given through Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Memories and photos can be shared on Chuck’s Tribute Wall.