Dennis Aaron Hepler

Dennis Hepler, 92, a resident of Brighton Gardens for the past 6 1/2 years in Greensboro, went to his Eternal Heavenly Home on Thursday, August 8, 2019. He was born in Thomasville, NC to Charles (Ed) and Vera M. Hepler. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Marie (married 63 years); son, Bryan; brothers, Jerry and Randy, and his only sister Joyce Hepler Kluttz. Survivors are his daughters, Jan Payne (Jim) of Braselton, Georgia, Susan Hepler of Greensboro, NC; granddaughters, Jenny Payne-Simpkins (Scott) of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and Joanna Payne of Lawrenceville, Georgia; as well as many other family members.

Dennis graduated from Fair Grove High School in Thomasville, NC in 1944. He then went to Ashmore Business College in Thomasville, NC for one year from 1944 to 1945, receiving a certificate in business courses.

In June 1945, at age 18 Dennis was drafted into the US Army. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia when the war ended in August 1945 (a part of the “Greatest Generation”). While at Fort Benning, he learned to drive a vehicle for the first time as he was ordered to go get a jeep and drive Colonel Kelly around. He served in the Army for 18 months leaving as Corporal.

After Army service ended, he was employed by Veterans Affairs in Winston Salem for a short time. He transferred to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Greensboro retiring in 1982, with 35 years of government service. He volunteered and served for a few days as a Voting Rights Observer for African Americans (1968) in Alabama and Mississippi. Coming from a poor family, he paid for his sister’s nurse training fees. Dennis was an occasional blood donor through the American Red Cross. Dennis also worked part-time at the former Pep Boys Store in downtown Greensboro working some week nights and Saturdays in 1961, and part-time at the former Powell’s Esso Service Station on Summit Avenue in Greensboro in 1969. He was a past President of NC Chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) for one year. After retirement from the IRS, he was a specialty advertising products salesman for Francis and Lusky Company and later for the Kaeser and Blair Company.

He was a former member of American Legion Post 368-Bessemer Branch in Greensboro. He was a former member of 16th Street Baptist Church in Greensboro. He is currently a member of Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro. He loved to sing with a loud and booming voice in these churches and at Brighton Gardens. Dennis participated in the various daily activities at Brighton Gardens as well as going on outings in their bus, etc. He enjoyed the delicious meals served there too. Dennis loved meeting and talking to people, was very personable and optimistic, had a sense of humor and loved to laugh with you (not at you), enjoyed home back yard gardening and giving away vegetables to friends, family members and neighbors. He loved to fish at local ponds, lakes, and out of the Atlantic Ocean (mostly off NC piers). He traveled a lot in the USA on various trips by car or tour buses. He loved going to Hawaii with the NTEU meeting one year saying Hawaii was heaven on earth-very beautiful!

The family wishes to thank all staff at Brighton Gardens of Greensboro, all Hospice and Palliative Care staff of Greensboro, Legacy Healthcare Services at Brighton Gardens, and Dr. Henry Tripp of DMHC, as well as other doctors, hospital staff, nurses and dentists, etc. for their excellent concern for his well-being and health care.

Visitation will be held Thursday night, August 22, 2019, from 7 pm to 9 pm at Hanes-Lineberry, North Elm Street, Greensboro. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 23, 2019, at 2:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel, 515 North Elm Street, with Chris Morris, Chaplain with Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, 3600 North O’Henry Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dennis’ memory to Lawndale Baptist Church, 3505 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.