Elmer D. Epler, age 85, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1982, passed away on June 17, 2018 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was retired from the United States Air Force with twenty-seven years of active duty.

Elmer D. Epler was born on Nov. 17, 1932 in Topeka, KS to the late John and Julia (Mark) Epler. He grew up in Meriden, KS where he attended both grade school and high school. He married his high school sweetheart, Reva Tillery, on January 22, 1952 in Meriden. He attended the University of Kansas from 1950-1952 and received his BBA from Washburn University in Topeka, KS in 1954 and received a commission as a 2nd Lt. from the ROTC program. He was a Kansas Use Tax auditor while awaiting his call to active duty in the Air Force in 1955. He served three years in the Air Force at Perrin AFB, Sherman, TX. He was then employed for four years in both Dallas and Kansas City at IBM. He was recalled to active duty in 1962 and served until March 1986. His assignments included HQ Military Air Transport Service, Scott AFB, Belleville, IL; Michigan State University, Lansing, MI where he received his MBA in 1965; McClellan AFB, Sacramento, CA; HQ Military Assistance Command in Saigon, Vietnam; HQ USAF, The Pentagon, Washington DC; HQ Strategic Air command, Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE; and HQ Air Force Space Command and NORAD, Colorado Springs, CO. His military decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. Upon his retirement in 1986 he and wife, Reva, spent many years traveling and spending time with family.

Col Epler is survived by his wife of 66 years; one son, Dr Steven Epler (wife, Mary) of Manhattan, KS; and two daughters, Deborah Hoyt (husband Jim Over) of Aurora, CO and Terri Terry (husband Mark) of Federal Way, WA; three granddaughters, Kira Epler (husband Stuart Weinman) of Dallas, TX, Megan Faba (husband John) of Highland, IN, and Casey Hoyt of Aurora, CO; and three great grandchildren, Chad, Kaelan and Skyla.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 10 am at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Inurnment will be in the Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Colorado Parkinson Foundation Inc., 1155 Kelly Johnson Blvd., Suite 111, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

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