Mary Louise Hepler

Mary Louise Hepler, (nee Lauten), age 82, of Collierville, Tenn., passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Born to Paul Z. and Wilhelmina M. Lauten in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, Mary was raised with one brother, Harry Oliver Lauten, who preceded her in death. Mary graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority. While at university she met Donald Floyd Hepler whom she married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Zelienople in 1957. A devoted wife and mother, Mary traveled with Don in Europe and America throughout his corporate career. During Mary's years raising her small children, she worked as a preschool and kindergarten teacher. When Mary and Don settled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she assisted him with opening and operating his own business until his death in 1991. Over the years Mary was an avid bridge player, enjoyed membership in many social and community service organizations, and made friends wherever she resided. She continued to provide love and support to her children and extended family for the remainder of her life. She is greatly loved and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Hepler Barnett (Martin David Barnett), and her son, John Andrew Hepler (Bridget Risdon Hepler), as well as her granddaughters, Diana Hepler Barnett and Elly Risdon Hepler. A small family memorial will be held graveside in Mary's hometown of Zelienople where she will be laid to rest with her husband and parents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the American Humane Society, and the Memphis Jewish Home.