EDWARD "EDDIE" GEORGE HEPPERLE Eddie "Jazzman" passed away peacefully on December 23, 2011 surrounded by family. He was born on April 20, 1919 & grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. A viewing will be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Evans Brown Sun City Chapel, 27010 Encanto Drive, Sun City, CA 92585. Burial will follow at Riverside National Cemetery. He is survived by his loving children Mart Hepperle, Katie Yakopec, Marcia Hedberg, and Annette Gamble. Published in Press-Enterprise from January 4 to January 5, 2012.∼Edward "Eddie" George Hepperle, the "Jazzman", passed away peacefully on December 23, 2011 surrounded by family. Ed was born April 20, 1919 and at 92 years young, he continued to be alert and charmed everyone with his jokes and stories of family and music. Ed grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and graduated from Proviso East High School. His father made him take piano lessons and so began his 80-year passion for music. He switched over to the bass fiddle and never looked back. He continued to play with local bands and combos in hotels, ballrooms, lounges and clubs. He played several clubs owned by Al and Ralph Capone. The highlight of his young career was jammin' with his idol, Duke Ellington. He was in the Air Force during World War II. Ed met and married the love of his life, Kitty Mahoney, in Rochester, MN. He played his way across the country in search of that "big" job in Las Vegas. He landed a gig at the Sands Hotel but finally settled in Lakewood, CA to start his family. He worked at Northrop Aircraft in Torrance for 25 years but continued his love of music playing in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orange County and Long Beach. He moved to Riverside County and played jazz at Temecula Creek Inn for over 20 years, until just 2 months ago. Ed is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Adeline (Koehler) Hepperle and wife of 53 years. He is survived by his son, Mart Hepperle (Tina); daughters Katie Yakopec, Marcia Hedberg (John) and Annette Gamble (Dennis); grandchildren James Hill (Mikala), Jason Hill (Ammie), Nicki McDaniel (Spencer), Charley Baker (Nicole), Ashley and Danielle Hepperle; great- grandchildren Chloe and Jack Baker; Blair and Austin McDaniel; and Karter, Jaxon and Maddox Hill. In addition, Ed was blessed and grateful to have a multitude of relatives, friends, and groupies who were instrumental in his journey through life. A celebration of that life will be held Thursday, January 5, 2011 at Evans-Brown Mortuary, 27010 Encanto Drive, Sun City CA 92585. Viewing at 9:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m. Military burial at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Bl., Riverside CA 92518.