Stanley Hepler

Stan, as he was known by family and friends, was born on Jan. 9, 1918, in Long Beach, Calif. He grew up on the family farm near Kendrick, except for four years when the family relocated to Phoenix. He attended Leland High School until 1936, and received his pilot's license at age 18.

Stan worked as a flight instructor for Zimmerly Air Transport training military cadets during World War II, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Plummer. Stan and Barb were married Dec. 19, 1942, in Coeur d'Alene, recently celebrating their 73rd wedding anniversary together.

At the close of World War II, Stan was a pilot for Zimmerly Airlines, the first scheduled airline in Idaho that ran from Lewiston to Coeur d'Alene, Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Pocatello.

In 1945, Stan moved back to the family farm near Kendrick, where he farmed until retiring and moving to Clarkston in 1977. He spent his retirement years flying, shooting skeet and sporting clays, and reminiscing about what he loved to do the most -

"flying."

Stan is survived by his wife, Barbara, and son, Don (and wife Judit). A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston.

The family extends their appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, who took special care of Stan during his final days.