April 8, 1942 - Novemvber 13, 2022
Westerville, Ohio | Age 80
Edward M. Eppick of Westerville, OH passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at the age of 80, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Joan; daughters Jennifer and Melany (Mark), and son Ed (Pam); grandchildren Justin (Jackie), Andrew (Andrea), Rachael (Alex), Noah, Emily, Megan, Mackenzie, and Colin. Edward was preceded in death by his sister Donne, brother-in-law John, and parents Edward and Alma.
Edward was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1942 and graduated from St. Joseph High School. In his youth, he was a school photographer, cross country runner, boxer, trumpet player, and skydiver.
Edward enlisted in the Army in 1964 and trained in Bad Tolz, Germany, where he learned to ski in the Bavarian Alps. Edward was deployed to Vietnam in 1966, where he served as a Green Beret communications sergeant in the Army's 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During his tour he served as a member of a covert operations team responsible for rescuing American prisoners of war. Among his military awards and decorations are the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960.
Edward and Joan were married in 1967 and he began his career as an insurance salesman. While working full-time and taking care of his family, Edward attended night school at Akron University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance. He operated an insurance agency for many years before transitioning into the trucking business. Edward enjoyed attending Vietnam veterans’ reunions, often with his son Eddie. Edward had a great love for fishing and enjoyed taking his boat on the lakes of his brother-in-law's farm. Most recently, he enjoyed feeding the birds, chipmunks, and squirrels that visited his patio daily.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 18 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 N. State Street, Westerville, OH. Interment with a Rite of Committal with military honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 9571 High Street, Lewis Center. Please visit www.hillfuneral.com to leave messages of condolence. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic and to the Mount Carmel hospice nurses for their care and compassion.
Published by The Plain Dealer from Nov. 15 to Nov. 16, 2022.