Mr. Denny Eplin, 83, rural Morris, IL. passed away Sunday evening, May 20, 2012 at Morris Hospital with his loving family by his side.
Born Aug. 23, 1928, in Kitchen, W.V., Denny was the son of Wilford & Bessie (Pondixter) Eplin.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from Oct. 20, 1950 until receiving his honorable discharge on Oct. 4, 1952. He was stationed in Korea.
Denny married the love of his life Darlene Lovejoy on Nov. 10, 1957 in Hubball, W.V. Together with his wife and family, they left West Virginia in 1970 and moved to DePue, Ill., where he found employment with New Jersey Zinc. They then moved to the Morris area in 1977, when he entered the employment of Alumax Aluminum Company in Aux Sable Township, working until his retirement in 1993.
He found enjoyment spending time in his yard tending to his vegetable gardens along with spending time visiting with his many friends, family and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
With his wife, they attended the Ambassadors for Christ Church.
Survivors include his loving wife of more than 54 years, Darlene; their seven children, Denny (Tammy) Eplin of Jacksonville, N.C., Roger (Tammie) Eplin of Sellersberg, Ind., John (Kimberly) Eplin of Morris, Melanie (James) Goode of Morris, Kim (Anthony) Dzurko of Wilmington, Ill., Tammy Small of Morris, and Russell Eplin of Schaumburg, Ill.; 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Della (Bob) Burns of West Hamlin, W.V.; three brothers, Mennis (Betty) Eplin, Odell (Patty) Eplin of West Hamiln, W.V. and Willard (Anita) Eplin of Willowwood, Ohio ;along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter in infancy, Fay Eplin, in June 1965; and foster mother, Sybil Bias.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012, and from 10 a.m. Thursday May 24, until the time of funeral services at 11 a.m. at U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris. Rev. William C. Stinnette of the Ambassadors for Christ church will officiate.
Interment with full military honors conducted by the Morris Color Guard will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
Preferred form of remembrance would be Memorial Gifts in Denny's memory directed to the family for distribution to local charities of their choosing at a later date.
Condolences can be directed to the family at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call (815) 942-0084.