James R

Hazleton--James R. Roepke, 73, of Hazleton, died in his home Monday evening, May 29, 2006, after a long illness. Funeral services will be: 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 2, at Trinity United

Methodist Church, Hazleton, with the Rev. Jason Princer officiating. Burial will be in Fontana Cemetery, with military gravesite rites.

James Rudolph Roepke was born March 31, 1933, at rural Littleton, the son of Rudolph and Edna Grace Ellen (Weitnauer) Roepke. He received is education from the Hazleton school. Jim served in the Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Washington and Alaska. He was united in marriage to Shirlee Mae Bantz on Feb. 27, 1953, at Independence. Jim worked at Rath Packing in Waterloo for 17 years, at Woods Construction in Fairbank for 18 years and
retired from Larson Construction in Independence in 2003. He was a longtime member of the Aurora American Legion.

Survivors include two sons: Russell (Janet) Roepke of Waterloo and Aaron Roepke of Hazleton; five grandchildren, Josh, Pat, Jason, Courtney and Jennifer; three great-grandchildren, Eric, Ethan and Lillian; one brother, Paul (Susan) Roepke of Hazleton; seven sisters, Gladys (John) Higgins of Aurora, Thelma Duckett of Oelwein, Dorothy Knavel of Hazleton, Elaine (Rhea) Rockwood of Janesville, Marilyn (Gene) Medberry of Elgin, Judy (Mark) Lang of Cedar Rapids, and Alice Roepke-Vega (Michael Vega) of Central City, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirlee, May 5, 2005; two daughters, Julie Ann and Geraldine Marie; two sons, Rodney Wilhelm and Eric Lee; one brother, Jerry and an infant sister.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.