Weldon Paul Epp died July 10, 2017 in Newton.
He was born August 16,
1945, in Hillsboro. He was the son of Ruth (Schmidt) and Paul Epp. He
attended high school in Hillsboro and college at Bethel College,
North Newton. He married Bonnie (Franz) in Buhler on August 23, 1966. After college in 1965, he operated a
custom wheat harvesting business with two combines until 1968. He
then fed beef cattle and farmed with his father near Newton. From
1981 he also ran a commercial cattle feedyard. In 1993 he started a
barbecue wood pellet business. Throughout his life, Weldon was active
in the community. He was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1971. He
was also a participating member of the Kansas Livestock Association.
Weldon was active with the Harvey County Soil Conservation District
and the Sand Creek Watershed commission. He later enjoyed his time
with the American Truck Historical Society, Wheat State Chapter.
Weldon enjoyed being active in the
outdoors. He enjoyed camping and boating with his family, coffee with
friends, traveling with Bonnie and restoring old trucks. He was a
craft metalworker who had a knack for designing, building and
repairing old machinery. Most importantly, he loved being with his
family and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of
the home; children, Marc (Kim) of Newton; Jerry (Kristin) of North
Newton; Ladd (Brianne) of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; grandchildren
Naomi, Micah, Eliza, Caden, Jackson and Havana; sister Verda (Geoff)
Deckert of Newton; nieces Natasha (Scott) Arnold and Maria Deckert;
and brother-in-law Larry (Connie) Franz of Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents
and a sister, Joycelyn.
A visitation will be from 6:30 to 8
p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at the Bethel College Mennonite Church. A memorial service will be at 10:30
a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017, at Bethel College Mennonite Church. A family inurnment will be at Bethel
College Mennonite Church columbarium. Memorials are suggested to MCC and Camp
Mennoscah in care of Petersen Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements.
