DAVID CHATFIELD KEPLER

Long-time Matanuska Valley resident David C. Kepler, 77, passed away Dec. 15, 2002, in Anchorage. A memorial service for Mr. Kepler will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Farm Loop Christian Center at Mile .8 of Farm Loop Road, north of Palmer.

Mr. Kepler was born to Harriet Foster and Jesse T. Kepler in Macomb, Ill., on Nov. 1, 1925. He traveled to Alaska with his family in 1927. The Kepler family lived in the town of Matanuska for many years. At age 16, Mr. Kepler began working as a truck driver for the Alaska Road Commission during construction of the Glenn Highway. In 1944 he enlisted in the Navy, serving on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Antietam. After the war he worked for the United States Geological Survey for awhile and trapped on the Nushagak River during the winter of 1948-1949. He returned to road work in 1949, doing maintenance work in Dillingham and construction work on the roads from Cantwell to McKinley Park and Cantwell to Paxon. After his marriage to Lois Gallaher in 1953, he did highway maintenance work in Palmer until his retirement in 1978. Mr. Kepler was also involved in running Kepler Park Campground, a family owned and operated business begun 50 years ago by his father.

Mr. Kepler had a lifelong interest in flying and learned how to fly in 1949. He was happy to see his sons and grandsons share his passion for flying.

Mr. Kepler also had a deep love for the Lord Jesus. In 1974 he became a founding member of the Kidran Fellowship (now Farm Loop Christian Center), serving as an elder there for more than 20 years. He was also a member of Christian Pilots Association, and was currently serving as president of Businessmen's Fellowship.

Mr. Kepler was deeply devoted to his family. He leaves his wife Lois; sons Chris Kepler and Mark Kepler; daughter Patti Swanson; grandchildren Justin, Kolin, Camile, Jason and Caity Kepler, Krystal Cordle and Karl Swanson; and great-grandchildren, Riley and Shelli. He is also survived by sisters, Rosemary Carlow and Kathleen Kepler; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kepler was preceded in death by sisters Eloise Swoboda and Margaret Carey.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.