James M. "Jim" Hepner Obituary

James (Jim) Matthews Hepner

BROWNSVILLE -- Mr. James (Jim) Matthews Hepner, 73, died Monday, March 20, 1995, at Brownsville Medical Center.

Mr. Hepner was born in Indianapolis, Ind. After moving to Harlingen in 1930 from Indianapolis, Mr. Hepner attended Harlingen Public Schools and graduated in 1939. He entered the funeral profession in January, 1940, with the Stotler-Burdette Funeral Home to later become Kreidler-Ashcraft Funeral Directors, where he worked until 1960 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. In 1960 he moved to Brownsville and was manager of Hinkley Mortuary. In 1978 he became a Director of Trevino Funeral Home until his retirement in 1986. While living in Harlingen he was active in civic affairs; life member of Optimist International Clubs; charter member and past president and honorary life member of the Harlingen Jaycees; charter member of Harlingen Elks Lodge No. 1889; member and past exalted ruler of Brownsville Elks Lodge No. 1032; one of the organizers of the Valley Boys Ranch in Harlingen as well as a member of the board of governors for many years.

Survivors include a son, John C. Hepner of Denton; two daughters, Ms. Penny Hemphill of Houston and Mrs. Rebecca Whitenberg of Divide, Colo.; ex-wife, Marjorie K. Hepner of Port Isabel, Texas; six grandchildren.

Visitation for Mr. Hepner will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Chapel. Graveside services, only, at Buena Vista Memorial Park in Brownsville, 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 1995, with the Brownsville Elks Lodge No. 1032 officiating.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 Ed Carey Drive, Harlingen, Texas, 210-423-3636.

SOURCE: Valley Morning Star, Wednesday, 22 March 1995, p. B4, col. 2.