Gene L Schepler

A Funeral Service for Gene L. Schepler will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wilcox, Nebraska, with Pastor Candance Miller officiating.  Interment will follow at the Freewater Cemetery in rural Harlan County, Nebraska, with Military Honors provided by the Wilcox American Legion in conjunction with the United States Navy Honors Team.

Gene Larry Schepler, 86 years of age, of Wilcox, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, surrounded by his family at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Gene was born on July 20, 1935, at the Brewster Hospital in Holdrege, Nebraska, the eldest of five children, born to Ernest and Lydia (Heidemann) Schepler.  Gene received his primary education from a country school in Kimball County and the family later moved to Wilcox.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox.  Gene received his education from Wilcox Public Schools.

On October 15, 1955, Gene was called into active duty to the United States Navy.  He received his basic training the Great Lakes, Illinois, and later was stationed at Midway in Japan.  Gene served as an Aircraft Mechanic and was honorably discharged.

On February 23, 1958, Gene was united in marriage to Connie L. Skiles at the Huntley United Methodist Church and the couple made their home in Holdrege for a short time, until moving to Wilcox in 1961.  God blessed this union with two daughters:  Pamela born on December 24, 1962, and Jill born August 13, 1967.

In 1960, Gene and his brother, Merle, started Schepler Bros. Service Station, and farmed.  In 1995, the station closed, and Gene continued to farm until his retirement in 2007.

Gene was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wilcox, the Wilcox American Legion, Charter Member of the Wilcox Lions, and the Wilcox Fire Department.  Gene thoroughly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie in 2014; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Hobart and Doris (Garrison) Skiles; two brothers: one in infancy; and Merle Schepler; and two brothers-in-law: Merle Ortegren; and Gene Richardson.

Gene is survived by two daughters:  Pam Robinson of Wilcox and her special friend, Mark Smolik; and Jill Fouts of Hildreth, Nebraska; seven grandchildren:  Jarad Robinson and his wife, Lyndsay; Cody Robinson and his wife, Andrea; Heath Robinson and his wife, Sidney; Sara Fouts; Austin Fouts and his wife, Amanda; Shelby Fouts, and Shaina Blankenship and her husband, Colton; ten great-grandchildren:  Ryan, Wyatt and Westen Robinson; Addison, Hadlee, and Aleeya Robinson; Langdon and Macksdon Robinson; Bracelynn Fouts; and Tripp Glendy; one brother, Wayne Schepler and his wife, Judy of Holdrege; four sisters-in-law:  Sandy Roberts and her husband, Tom of Knoxville, Tennessee and Kathy Ortegren of Wilcox; Sandra Schepler of Kearney, and Sharon Richardson of Holdrege; one brother-in-law, Ken Skiles and his wife, Sue of Elwood, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Gene's honor, and kindly suggested to the Wilcox American Legion, the Wilcox United Methodist Church, or the Wilcox Fire Department.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox is in charge of the arrangements.