Dorothy Ellen Vestal Hepler

She was born December 31, 1930, in Yadkin County and was the daughter of the late Leonard Carl and Callie Jester Vestal. She retired from J.P. Stevens as a supervisor, after 32 years of service and was a member of Rock Spring Baptist Church. She loved flowers and gardening and especially enjoyed being a mom and grandmother.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death on July 8, 2001, by her husband, John Andrew Hepler; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann Baldwin and Terina Hepler Esposito; two grandsons, John Andrew “Drew” Hepler III and Nathan Ford; two sisters; and three brothers.

She is survived by two daughters, Linda (Bill) Foulks of Statesville and Pat (Roy) Baldwin of Olin; four sons, Tommy (Kaye) Hepler of Canton, GA, Donald (Harriett) Hepler of Tennessee, Dean (Joan) Hepler of Mooresville; and Curtis (Pat) Hepler of Harmony; a sister, Margaret (Dwight) Pendergrass of Mocksville; eight grandchildren, Denise H. (Frank) Grayson, Donald (Diane) Hepler, Jr., Michelle Hepler, Micheal (Amber) Hepler, Cale (Gina) Hepler, Steven (Heather) Baldwin, Richard (Stacy) Baldwin, and Matthew (Amanda) Baldwin; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at 2:30 PM Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Rock Spring Baptist Church with the Revs. Billy Manners, Steve Hedgecock, and Jessie Stroud officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Thursday at the church prior to the service. At other times, they will be assembled at the home of Pat Baldwin, 131 Duncan Road, Olin.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215; or to Rock Spring Baptist Church, 509 Rocks Springs Road, Harmony, NC 28634; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.