Howard Dale Eppley, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Dale was born June 15, 1924 near Durham, Illinois, the son of William Chauncey and Ina Elizabeth Babcook Eppley. He was a 1942 graduate of La Harpe High School and attended Burlington Junior College. On April 18, 1947 he married Beatrice Jean Morrow in Blandinsville. She proceeded him in death on October 29, 1992. He married Mary Emogine Carter Bowen at the family farm on June 17, 1994.

The majority of his lifetime was spent farming in the Durham, Illinois community, and he retired in 1987. Dale was an accomplished carpenter and builder. He built a home for he and his first wife and future family on his farm. As a woodworker, he enjoyed making furniture and other items out of wood for family and friends. During his farming years he also enjoyed model railroading as a hobby. He loved his St. Louis Cardinal baseball team, attending several games in St. Louis, and spring training games in Florida. He was one of the Cardinal's biggest fans. For several years he served on the La Harpe District School Board.

Following his marriage to Emogine, he moved to La Harpe, Illinois. He continued woodworking until this past year; his grandchildren had always enjoyed receiving something handcrafted made from oak or cherry at Christmas. He was a member of W.I.E.C. and attended the Durham United Methodist Church. Dale and Emogine were snowbirds and enjoyed spending their winters in Winter Haven, Florida and attending the West Side Baptist Church of Haines City.

He loved his family and spoke often of the many blessing that he had in life. He always had a great smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Dale was well respected in the community, a man of honesty and integrity, strong faith and a loyal friend. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, one son, Michael (Gloria) Eppley of Springfield, Illinois, three daughters, Janet Addair of Orlando, Florida, Joyce (Brian) Lovell of La Harpe, Illinois, June (Mike) Ashcraft of Granville, Ohio, ten grandchildren, Claudia (Randy) Dease, Jennifer and Andrea Blum, Natalie (Willis) Young, Alex (Laurie) Lovell, Joseph and Breda Murphy, Claire Eppley, Christina (Matt) McConnell, Scott (Kristina) Ashcraft, seven great-grandchildren; Benjamin, Samuel, and Rebekah Young, Makenzie Denney, Caleb McConnell, Julia Rose and Rachel Lovell, one sister-in-law, Gladys Eppley, several nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by two step-children, Marshall (Marina) Bowen of Penza,Russia, Charlotte (Paul) Pawlak of Carthage, Illinois, two step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, his first wife, one brother, George, one sister Mary Burford and one nephew, Dennis Eppley.

Services will held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Jim Clayton officiating. Burial will be held in the Glade City Cemetery in Blandinsville, IL. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the Durham United Methodist Church or LaHarpe Ambulance Services.