Phillip Eppler Obituary

"> Phillip J. Eppler
Phillip J. Eppler, 77, of Mansfield Twp., N.J., passed away Thursday, August 24, 2006, in Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg, N.J., after a brief illiness, with his beloved family at his side. He was born April 11, 1929, in Belleville, N.J., the son of the late Arthur and Elizabeth (Finzel) Eppler. He and his wife, the former Carol Woolf, would have been married for 50 years on October 27. Phillip was a longtime self-employed school bus contractor before retiring. Prior to that, he was a Warren County dairy and crop farmer and a custom grain operator. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, seeing duty in the United States and Europe as a airplane mechanic. He was a recipient of the Warren County Veterans Medal. He was a graduate of Belvidere (N.J.) High School. His elementary education was in Belleville. He was an avid reader, a novice golfer, a snowmobile enthusiast, and enjoyed travel with his family. In retirement, his favorite activity was attending his grandsons youth sports events. Phillip attended services at Abundant Life Community Church in Port Murray, N.J., and was a former member of the Montana Methodist Church. He was a F.F.A. member and former president of the Young Farmers group. Survivors: Wife; son, Edward and his wife Laura of Bethlehem; daughter, Janice of Mansfield Twp.; two grandsons, Graig and Paul Eppler of Bethlehem. Two brothers, Albert and Arthur, and a sister, Audrey Cadulli, all died earlier. Services: 1 p.m. Monday in the church, Cherry Tree Bend, Port Murray. Arrangements, DeVoe Funeral Service, Washington, N.J. Burial, Montana Cemetery, Harmony Twp., N.J. Contributions: Donations may be considered to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halsted St., Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60622.