Harold H. Eppley

Harold Hieber Eppley went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 29, 2025. He was born 100 years ago on February 16, 1925 in Seneca County, near Bloomville to the late Chester and Grace (Hieber) Eppley.

At the age of 5 he and his family moved to the Hieber family farm at 4679 Beechgrove Road, Bucyrus. He graduated from Homes-Liberty in 1943 and served in the Army from April 1945 to November 1946. On March 21, 1948, he married Faythe (Yaussy) and they raised their two children Randall and Cheryl on the family farm. He was a dairy farmer for 24 years, milked around 35 cows and had one of the top producing herds in Crawford County. He fed beef cattle from 1973-1985 and crop farmed until he retired from farming in 1990. In 1989 Harold and his brother Warren planted 8-acres of trees. This tree farm became his passion, and the trees grew alongside his enlarging family. A family tradition of gathering yearly at the tree farm to work and fellowship was a cherished occasion for Harold.

Harold and Faythe bought father-in-law, Austin Yaussy’s insurance business in 1983 and were agents for Ohio Mutual Insurance until 1996.

He is survived by his wife Martha; his daughter Cheryl Koehler (Charles) Wood of Shreve, Ohio; and daughter-in-law Linda Eppley of Lindsey, Ohio. He is also survived by grandchildren Craig Eppley of Westerville, Kristen (Paul) Laurer of Dayton, Dawn (Tim) Holmes of Bexley, Beth (Jed) Acker of Shreve, Cathy (Tyler) Yoder of Solon, Dana (Stephanie) Daniels of Broadview Heights, Michelle (David Ott) Koehler of the state up North, and Theresa (Rob Malloy) Koehler of Macedonia; great grandchildren Jack, Charlotte, & Ella Eppley, Grace & Andrea Laurer, Joy & Lucy Acker, Asher, Ellery, & Callan Yoder, Elliot & Austin Holmes, Bodhi & Dillon Daniels, Emily & Michael Fraser, and Jackson & Colton Malloy. In addition, when he married Martha at the age of 78, he gained children Daniel (Leslie) Yaussy, Drew (Carolyn) Yaussy, and daughter-in-law Kathy Yaussy; grandchildren Charles Yaussy, Ben (Amanda) Yaussy, Nathan (Virginia) Yaussy; and great grandchildren Alexander & Danielle Yaussy. Brother “Dick” John (Jody) Eppley of Minnesota and sister-in-law Erma Yaussy of North Carolina also survive.

He was preceded in death by Faythe; son Randy; brother and sister-in law Warren (Naomi) Eppley; brothers-in-law, Don (Phyllis) Yaussy and Richard Yaussy; sister- in-law Hope Yaussy; and stepson David Yaussy.

Faythe passed away from cancer on September 15, 1999. They were married for 51 years. Harold became active as a volunteer for Hospice after Fayth’s passing and was awarded caregiver of the year for his sacrificial loving care. Harold was always there to help or lend a hand. He was a member of the former Epworth United Methodist Church and followed Austin Yaussy as Benevolence Treasurer. He was a driving force whenever any repair or

remodeling was needed at the church, lending his skills, and knowledge of construction to every project since 1947. He served on the school board from 1958-1964, during the consolidation of Holmes-Liberty, Lykens, Mt Zion, and Nevada into Wynford Local Schools. He was a member and served as president of the Crawford County Farm Bureau, president of the Crawford County Cattlemen’s Association, and was on the Crawford Landmark Board during its consolidation into County Star, joining New Washington, North Robinson and Bucyrus in the 1980s. He also served on the Board of People’s Savings and Loan from 1988 to 2005.

During their marriage Faythe and Harold enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and throughout the United States, and Europe. Harold made three mission trips to Haiti, one to Biloxi, MS and one to Tanzania. He sponsored two children in Haiti. Harold enjoyed Western Square Dancing with the Bucyrus Buckaroos, first with Faythe and then with Martha.

He will be missed here on Earth, but Praise be to God, Earth is not the end. Harold loved his Savior. “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Calling hours for Harold will be held from 11 – 12:55 pm on Wednesday, November 5 at Bucyrus United Methodist Church, 227 S. Walnut St., followed by his funeral, beginning at 1:00 pm with Pastor Sue Chidley officiating. He will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery, where Military Rites will be provided by the US Army Honor Guard.

If desired, donations can be made payable to the Bucyrus UMC and will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service or at the church on day of services. Memories are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook page at www.wisefuneral.com.