Walter Frederick “Schep” Scheper Sr, 92, passed away January 20, 2021 with his family by his side. He was born to the late Frank Herman and Agnes Curry Scheper on September 19th, 1928 in Jersey City, NJ.
Schep was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 72 years, Iris Marie Robinson Scheper. He was also preceded in death by his brother Frank Scheper of Columbia SC, and sisters Dorothea Scheper Brown of Union, New Jersey and Grace Scheper McAlarney of Jersey City, New Jersey. He is survived by sons Walter Frederick Scheper Jr (Charlotte) of Raleigh, Donald Frank Scheper (Julie Anne) of Trenton, and Ricky Louis Scheper (Sharon) of Trent Woods; daughters Sharon Ann Scheper Rank (Bill) of Bridgeton and Pamela Marie Scheper Baumgardner (Donald) of New Bern; grandchildren Walter F. Scheper III, Victoria Bruffett, Patrick Scheper, Chandler Scheper, Lauren Askew, Robert Braxton, Margo Waters, Courtney Rhodes, Richard Scheper, Spencer Scheper, Adam Baumgardner, and Derek Baumgardner; great grandchildren “Ginny” Virginia Louise Scheper, Archer Frederick Scheper, Landon Scheper, Addison Jackson, Claire Askew, Luke Askew, Lilly Anne Braxton, Nathan Waters, Haven Waters, Mattie Rhodes, Riley Kate Rhodes, Adam Hudson Baumgardner, Anna Marie Baumgardner, Schep Baumgardner, Olivia Baumgardner, and Emberly Baumgardner.
Walter, known as “Schep”, grew up on Hudson Avenue and later Neptune Avenue in Jersey City. He attended parochial school in Jersey City and later went to Henry Snyder High School As a young man growing up in the Depression, he learned to make money selling small flags on Veterans Day and later Coca Colas by the crate to returning WW II service men at Union Station. Schep was an avid dancer even as an early teen, attending the numerous dances held across Jersey City and New York City in the 1940’s. When he turned 16 in 1944, duty called and he left high school to join the US Merchant Marines. At age 17 Schep was finally able to join the US Marine Corps. He was in basic training when the war ended in 1945. It was in the USMC that he forever after became “Schep” to everyone he met.
While stationed at the USMC Cherry Point Air Station in Havelock NC, Schep met his future wife, Iris Robinson, in 1946 at the Morehead City USO. From the day they met, they took every opportunity to dance, and all raved at their ability. Schep and Iris were married at St Egbert’s Catholic Church in Morehead City on November 15, 1947. They lived in Morehead City until 1958 when they moved to New Bern as Schep was promoted to District Manager of Home Security Life. Schep and Iris joined St Paul’s Catholic Church in New Bern. Schep was very active in the church and the Knights of Columbus. They retired to Emerald Isle in 1987.
Schep was a man of so many talents and led a very vibrant and active life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, a gifted gardener, and a talented dancer. He had the great pleasure of hunting and fishing with four generations of family. His beautiful and extensive gardens at Emerald Isle were a pleasure both to him and to everyone who saw them. Schep and Iris loved to travel and they travelled extensively with friends and family.
Schep was a wonderful husband, father, and mentor. He was a tremendous positive influence on those with whom he worked and on his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Schep and Iris were honored in 2017 upon their 70th wedding anniversary with an interview on WCTI-TV. In the interview Iris said the secret to their long marriage was letting Schep believe he was in charge. She said Schep was the head but she was the neck and made sure he turned in the right direction.
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 1:00pm, Monday, January 25th, 2021 at St. Paul Catholic Church with burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends at St. Paul Catholic Church from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the Scheper family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com
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