Alvin Epler, 78, of rural Columbus, Kansas passed away Friday evening (October 25, 2002) at the St. Johns Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. after an illness.

Mr. Epler was born October 3, 1924 in rural Columbus, Kansas the son of Melvin and Carrie (Holaday) Epler. Alvin graduated from Columbus Community High School in Columbus, Kansas in 1942. He was a farmer in Cherokee County, Kansas all of his life.

Mr. Epler married Wilma Rauch on April 15, 1948 in Edna, Kansas. She preceded him in death March 24, 1990. He then married Lorna Mercer in 1991 at Hot Springs, Ark. She preceded him in death March 12, 2002.

Mr. Epler was a member of the Oswego, Ks. United Methodist Church. He was the past president of the Cherokee Co. Farm Bureau. The Past President of the Farmers Cooperative Assn. of Columbus, Ks. He was also a member of the Kansas State Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee, he was a 4-H Leader of the Shamrock 4-H club in Columbus for a number of years. A 13 year member of the Kansas State Fair Board/ Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Fraternal Order of the Eagles West Mineral, Ks. Masonic Lodge of Oswego, Kansas.

Survivors include two sons Bob Epler of rural Columbus, Kansas, Tom Eper of rural Columbus, Kansas one daughter Kathy Beeman of Lenexa, Kansas. One step son Richard Mercer of rural Columbus, Kansas One step daughter Linda Walker of Nashville, Tenn. Three grandsons, four granddaughters. Two brothers Leon Epler of Columbus, Kansas and John Epler of Columbus, Kansas

He was precded in death by his parents and an infant brother Robert Epler.

Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Monday October 28, 2002 at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus, Kansas with the Pastor Charlotte A. Coates officiating. Burial will be in the McKee Cemetery N.W. of Hallowell, Ks. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Sunday at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus, Ks. The family suggest memorials be made to the Columbus Community Foundation or the national Kidney Foundation which may be sent to the Simpson Funeral Home 323 S. Kansas Columbus, Kansas 66725