Bernard Nicholas Heppler

July 13, 1928 – June 24, 2021

Bernard (Hep) Nicholas Heppler, 92, of Perry, Oklahoma, passed away June 24, 2021, at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born July 13, 1928, in Wichita, KS, at his family home, to Nicholas Heppler and Susan Pantenburg. In 1938 the family moved to Perry, OK. Hep graduated from Perry High School in 1946. While driving a school bus during high school, he met the love of his life Enid Johndrow. They married April 18, 1948, at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church and celebrated 73 years of marriage.

Hep proudly worked for Ditch Witch from its beginning years as plant superintendent and retired in 1985 as head of human resources. He was proud to work for such a great company. Hep loved camping, boating, and water skiing and can be remembered hosting many swimming pool and baseball parties at his home. He had many talents and accomplishments in life. He could fix anything he could get his hands on and would never turn down his favorite food, ice cream. He is most remembered as a gracious and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

He is survived by his wife Enid (Johndrow) of Perry; his sisters Catherine McCollum of Parkersburg, WV, and LeVeda Bryce of Winfield, KS; his children, daughter Linda McKeown of Stillwater, OK, son Michael and wife Njeri Heppler of Greenville, NC, and daughter Ann and husband Bret Truax of Salem, OR; his grandchildren Brandon and wife Erin Heppler of Pensacola, FL, Ashley and husband Patrick Wood of Edmond, OK, Michelle and husband Joseph Thompson of Stillwater, OK, Shawn McKeown of Stillwater, OK, Heather and husband Alex Stadler of Baltimore, MD, Brittany and husband Steve Moynham of Denver, CO, and Austin Heppler of Greenville, NC; and his great-grandchildren Addyson Wood, Landon Wilde, Ella Dillard, Avery Wood, Eva Dillard, Colin Wood, Everson Thompson, Etta Heppler, and Ellington Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his sister Susan Johndrow of Winfield, KS, brother Alf Heppler of Perry, OK, and brother Butch Heppler of Perry, OK; son David Heppler of Perry, OK, and grandson Colby Heppler of Perry, OK.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 1, at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Perry, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Charities.