Christmas sign hit by vandals

A family remembrance of sorts fell victim to the hands of vandals on Christmas Eve, as a sign David Kepler erected years ago was destroyed on the eve of a favorite holiday.

A few years ago, Kepler, who passed away Dec. 18, erected a sign that read, "Happy Birthday Jesus," and was decorated with lights. His wife said he built the sign because of his belief that the true meaning of Christmas was being lost.

"He didn't really like the commercialization of Christmas, so a few years ago, he built the sign and we put it out by our place," Lois Kepler, his wife, said.

The sign was important to Kepler, and many people remember seeing it in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

This year, Kepler's two sons -- Chris and Mark Kepler -- decided to keep the family tradition going, much to the delight of their mother.

"They put it together and put it out on the road. We were so blessed to have it up because I know what it would have meant to Dave for us to have it out there," Lois said. "Dave would have appreciated them putting the sign out like he had."

On Christmas Eve, the sign was illuminated and standing. The next morning, however, Lois noticed something different.

"It wasn't lit up at all," she said. "That's when we noticed somebody had smashed it to pieces. I just don't understand that. It's just devastating to us.

"I know whoever did it probably didn't know Dave had just passed away, but it was still devastating for us," Lois said.