Jerry C. Hoeppner

Gruff, but giving, and an unconditionally loving person are just a few ways to describe Jerry Hoeppner.

After the stock market crash in October of 1929, America went into the Great Depression and the American lives were changed forever. The year also was marked with the Museum of Modern Art being created, the first Academy Awards and Oscars were handed out and inventions of Motorola's first car radio and Charles Leiper Grigg's soft drink 7-Up. Along with these events was the birth of Jerry C. Hoeppner to Walter and Esther Hoeppner on July 3, 1929, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jerry was the second of four children born at home and weighed ten pounds.

Jerry spent his childhood in Fort Wayne and graduated with the Class of 1948 from Central High School, Fort Wayne, where he played football and track and also played on the All City Football Team for 3 years. He went on to play semi- pro football for St. Joe Athletic Club.

He met Beverly Lahrman at Central High School in homeroom in the fall of 1943 and married his high school sweetheart on May 20, 1950 in Fort Wayne. Jerry worked at Beauty Brand Dairy out of high school, then started at Rea Magnet Wire in 1950, where he later became a supervisor in the shipping department on Adams Center Road for over 30 years. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Columbia City, Fort Wayne Conservation Club and Columbia City Eagles Lodge #1906.

Jerry was competitive, ornery, and loved his wife Beverly dearly, always verbally expressing his love to her over the years. They went on family vacations every year and have visited every state except Alaska and Hawaii.
He had an immense love of fishing and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish. He also enjoyed hosting fish fries for his church and family gatherings. Jerry loved golf and hunting golf balls, in addition to his passion for gardening, doing puzzles, word searches, playing cards, and camping at Bell Lake/Lake Luther Campground.

He will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Jerry C. Hoeppner, formerly of Columbia City and currently residing in New Haven, with his son and daughter-in-law Terry and Martha, passed away at 5:15 a.m. on Monday, December 10, 2018.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Beverly D. Hoeppner, New Haven; daughter in law, Deborah Hoeppner, Fort Wayne; 3 sons, Kerry (Karen Heins) Hoeppner, Key West, FL, Terry (Martha) Hoeppner, New Haven and Larry (Chris) Hoeppner, Fort Wayne; sister, Loann Oberkiser, Fort Wayne; sister in law, Patsy Hoeppner, Roanoke, VA; 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Geary L. Hoeppner, brother, Neal Hoeppner and sister, Jane Simpson.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 14, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8 at DeMoney-Grimes A Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 709 West Business 30, Columbia City with visitation at the church one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow at Nolt Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial bequests may be given in memory of Mr. Hoeppner to Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church or the church's Women's Group. To view Mr. Hoeppner's Lifestory, please log onto www.demoneygrimes.com