John Evan Epple Sr.

    John Evan Epple Sr., 85, of Keenesburg, died Feb. 18, 2012, at Eben-Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush after courageously enduring Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He was born April 7, 1926, on the Epple Ranch southeast of Roggen to John H. and Ruth (Beals) Epple.

John Evan Epple Sr.

    He attended grade school at nearby Kiowa School and received his high school diploma from Prospect Valley High School in 1945. Drafted into the U.S. Navy in October 1944 to serve during World War II, John was on the battleships U.S.S. Nevada and the U.S.S. General H. W. Buttner, transporting troops back from China.
John married Marian Jean Knox March 31, 1948, at St. Francis de Sales Church in Denver. John is survived by his wife and three sons: Jack (John, Jr.) and wife, Diana, of Keenesburg, Nolan and wife, Michael Anne, of Denver, and Bill and wife, Linda, of Roggen; seven grandchildren, Adrienne (Dwaine) Barclay, Allison Epple, Philip Epple, Katherine Epple, Michele (Wade) Turner, Crystal (Bob) Crowley and Stephen (Amber) Epple; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Russell Epple of Fort Morgan. John was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Jane, July 5, 1964.
    A Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 23, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 38044 County Road 16, Roggen. Burial will be at Heart of the Plains Cemetery with Honor Guard from American Legion Post 180.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church, Heart of the Plains Cemetery or Homestead Grange.
    Tabor-Rice Funeral Home is handling arrangements.