Thomas W. Hepler, 84, of Festus died March 17, 2018, at his home. Mr. Hepler was a machinist for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis and retired in 1999 from Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid County. He was a member of Festus Church of the Nazarene. Born April 6, 1933 in Caruthersville, he was the son of the late Bertha (Wyatt) and Carmel J. Hepler.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Phyllis J. (Moss) Hepler; a daughter: Carol Noce of Festus; two sons: Tom (Diane) Hepler of Cape Girardeau and Scott (Wendy) Hepler of Bloomfield; a sister: Clarine (the late J.C.) Clayton of Herculaneum; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Dorothy Carter; three brothers: David Hepler, Ed Hepler and Carmel Hepler Jr.; and a grandson: Jonathan (Megan survives of Festus) Noce.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Festus Church of the Nazarene, officiated by the Rev. Terry Simpkins, with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or to Mercy Jefferson Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.