Marion Leonard Shepard, known to all as Shep, passed away quietly on Sunday, May 29, 2016.
Shep was born to Marion L. Shepard Sr. and Verna (Settle) Shepard, on June 29, 1924. He was a 1942 graduate of Washington High School, and a member of the Hatchets football team. He was a WWII Navy Veteran having served from September 1943 till February 1946. He graduated from Tri-State College in Angola, IN, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. Shep was employed by the Naval Service Warfare Center (NSWC) in Crane, IN from 1951 until 1977, when he received a medical retirement. He was a long-time member of Bethel N. United Methodist Church, and a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge #236, and Hadi Shrine of Evansville. Shep was an avid fisherman and hunter, enjoying many seasons at Glendale Fish and Wildlife area in Montgomery. He was the owner of several black lab dogs over the years, who became his hunting partner. Shep was also a superb wood craftsman, having completed several items for his home and others.
He is survived by his daughter, Sandy (Bill) Graves of NC, step-daughters Sue Crane of Washington, and Carol (Mike) Bower of Maumee, OH. A blended family of grandchildren; Rob (Kristie) Gress of Washington, Jimmy Crane of Montgomery, IN, Jon Crane of Panama City, FL, and Lance (Cobi) Bower of Frankfort, IN; eight great-grandchildren, and two, soon to be three great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a cousin, Robert Shepard of Washington. Shep is preceded in death by his parents, an older brother James Robert in 1941, first wife Cathern Miller Shepard in 1978, and his previous wife Jane Crane Shepard in 2014, and a step-son Jim Crane, also in 2014.
The funeral will be at Gill Chapel on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 11:00am with Pastor Bruce Mowery officiating. Burial will follow the service at Sugarland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to: Shriners Hospital for Children at Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Online condolences may be made at www.gillsince1872.com