Dr. Kenneth Epperson, 90, of 807 East Franklin, Macomb, passed away at Wesley Village Healthcare Center, on Thursday, October 2, 2014. One of the most well-known figures in Macomb, he made outstanding contributions at Western Illinois University and in the Macomb business community, and he had a wide circle of friends and admirers.
Ken was born in Hume, Illinois, on October 1, 1924, so he had very recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was the son of Homer Lee Epperson and Sylvia Elliott Epperson, and he graduated from Newman High School, in Newman, Illinois, in 1942.
Ken received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Science in Education degrees from Western Illinois University in 1946 and 1952. During his undergraduate years, Ken earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track; and he was the state pole vault and high jump champion, and took second place in the long jump. He also served as President of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and the Interfraternity Council. Very popular, he was also chosen as Campus Personality and as Homecoming King. Between completing his two WIU degrees, Ken served in the U.S. Air Force, 1946-1947, and he married Lorraine Barnhart, also a Western student, on April 15, 1949, at the First Christian Church in Blandinsville.
Ken was an Industrial Arts teacher and coach at Greenfield High School, 1947-1948; and Industrial Arts teacher and basketball coach at Macomb High School, 1948-1952; the principal at Blandinsville High School, 1952-1954, and then was the Superintendent of the Northwestern School District (now West Prairie) for five years. From 1959 to 1961, he was with the Office of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, as Assistant Director in the Division of Special Education.
Ken started his 22-year career with Western Illinois University in 1961, first as an Admissions Counselor in charge of High School Relations. During the 1960s WIU grew at a rate of 1,000 students per years. Soon widely known throughout the state, Ken was selected to head the Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors in 1966. During this busy period, Ken also completed his doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University. That was awarded in 1969. Later, in the 1970s and early 1980s, Ken served as Western’s Director of University/Community College Relations. And he served as President of the Illinois Community College Association. He retired from WIU in 1983.
After his retirement, Ken joined his wife in real estate. They launched Century 21 Purdum-Epperson, Inc., in 1990, and it became a leading agency in western Illinois. During his business career, Ken received several production awards and was named Macomb Realtor of the Year.
During his many years in Macomb, Ken was a great follower of WIU Athletics, and he served as President of the WIU Leatherneck Club. He was also named to the WIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He also served on the WIU Performing Arts Board. Ken received the WIU Alumni Achievement Award in 1987.
His community leadership was also evident in many ways. He was, for example, President of SURS at WIU, and he served as a Spoon River College trustee for 12 years. He was also the Chairman of the McDonough County United Way for several years. He was on the Wesley Village Retirement Center Executive Board, and he served as well on the Macomb Planning Commision.
Ken was also a 50-year member of both the local Masonic Lodge and Macomb Kiwanis Club. He also held memberships in the Macomb Country Club, the American Legion, the First Presbyterian Church ( where he was a trustee), and the McDonough District Hospital Golden Apple Society. Earlier, Ken had also served as Chair of the Board for the Blandinsville Christian Church and Chair of the Board for the First Christian Church in Macomb.
Ken was also a talented woodcarver and sculptor. He carved the first Western Illinois University seal in 1974, in celebration of WIU’s 75th anniversary. That official seal is now housed in the Registrar’s Office. In other years he carved a number of smaller WIU seals, as presentation gifts for retiring adminstrators and faculty members. Ken also designed and carved the Western Illinois University Mace, which is carried and used at every commencement and at special academic events.
Ken was active with his wife Lorraine in many Macomb community, and WIU, efforts. Their recent large gift to the WIU Foundation, to close Western’s $60 million-dollar fundraising campaign, is one notable example. Ken and Lorraine received the Isaac and Ethel Leighty Community Award, given by the McDonough County United Way.
On a personal note, Ken was a great socializer, and he especially enjoyed golfing, dancing, and playing bridge. He was also devoted to the Epperson’s Sheltie dogs, Skipper I, II, and III.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, nephew, Paul and Christine Epperson, sister-in-law, Roberta Epperson, and cousins, Sue Goetz, Steve Williams, and Bob Williams.
Visitation will be at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014. The funeral service will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Mark Merrill officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held, immediately following the funeral, at the Macomb Country Club.
Memorial contirbutions may be made to the Ken and Lorraine Epperson Scholarship Fund, at WIU (through the WIU Foundation) or the First Presbyterian Church.
Ken was born in Hume, Illinois, on October 1, 1924, so he had very recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was the son of Homer Lee Epperson and Sylvia Elliott Epperson, and he graduated from Newman High School, in Newman, Illinois, in 1942.
Ken received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Science in Education degrees from Western Illinois University in 1946 and 1952. During his undergraduate years, Ken earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track; and he was the state pole vault and high jump champion, and took second place in the long jump. He also served as President of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and the Interfraternity Council. Very popular, he was also chosen as Campus Personality and as Homecoming King. Between completing his two WIU degrees, Ken served in the U.S. Air Force, 1946-1947, and he married Lorraine Barnhart, also a Western student, on April 15, 1949, at the First Christian Church in Blandinsville.
Ken was an Industrial Arts teacher and coach at Greenfield High School, 1947-1948; and Industrial Arts teacher and basketball coach at Macomb High School, 1948-1952; the principal at Blandinsville High School, 1952-1954, and then was the Superintendent of the Northwestern School District (now West Prairie) for five years. From 1959 to 1961, he was with the Office of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, as Assistant Director in the Division of Special Education.
Ken started his 22-year career with Western Illinois University in 1961, first as an Admissions Counselor in charge of High School Relations. During the 1960s WIU grew at a rate of 1,000 students per years. Soon widely known throughout the state, Ken was selected to head the Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors in 1966. During this busy period, Ken also completed his doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University. That was awarded in 1969. Later, in the 1970s and early 1980s, Ken served as Western’s Director of University/Community College Relations. And he served as President of the Illinois Community College Association. He retired from WIU in 1983.
After his retirement, Ken joined his wife in real estate. They launched Century 21 Purdum-Epperson, Inc., in 1990, and it became a leading agency in western Illinois. During his business career, Ken received several production awards and was named Macomb Realtor of the Year.
During his many years in Macomb, Ken was a great follower of WIU Athletics, and he served as President of the WIU Leatherneck Club. He was also named to the WIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He also served on the WIU Performing Arts Board. Ken received the WIU Alumni Achievement Award in 1987.
His community leadership was also evident in many ways. He was, for example, President of SURS at WIU, and he served as a Spoon River College trustee for 12 years. He was also the Chairman of the McDonough County United Way for several years. He was on the Wesley Village Retirement Center Executive Board, and he served as well on the Macomb Planning Commision.
Ken was also a 50-year member of both the local Masonic Lodge and Macomb Kiwanis Club. He also held memberships in the Macomb Country Club, the American Legion, the First Presbyterian Church ( where he was a trustee), and the McDonough District Hospital Golden Apple Society. Earlier, Ken had also served as Chair of the Board for the Blandinsville Christian Church and Chair of the Board for the First Christian Church in Macomb.
Ken was also a talented woodcarver and sculptor. He carved the first Western Illinois University seal in 1974, in celebration of WIU’s 75th anniversary. That official seal is now housed in the Registrar’s Office. In other years he carved a number of smaller WIU seals, as presentation gifts for retiring adminstrators and faculty members. Ken also designed and carved the Western Illinois University Mace, which is carried and used at every commencement and at special academic events.
Ken was active with his wife Lorraine in many Macomb community, and WIU, efforts. Their recent large gift to the WIU Foundation, to close Western’s $60 million-dollar fundraising campaign, is one notable example. Ken and Lorraine received the Isaac and Ethel Leighty Community Award, given by the McDonough County United Way.
On a personal note, Ken was a great socializer, and he especially enjoyed golfing, dancing, and playing bridge. He was also devoted to the Epperson’s Sheltie dogs, Skipper I, II, and III.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, nephew, Paul and Christine Epperson, sister-in-law, Roberta Epperson, and cousins, Sue Goetz, Steve Williams, and Bob Williams.
Visitation will be at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014. The funeral service will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Mark Merrill officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held, immediately following the funeral, at the Macomb Country Club.
Memorial contirbutions may be made to the Ken and Lorraine Epperson Scholarship Fund, at WIU (through the WIU Foundation) or the First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Kenneth Epperson, 90, of 807 East Franklin, Macomb, passed away at Wesley Village Healthcare Center, on Thursday, October 2, 2014. One of the most well-known figures in Macomb, he made outstanding contributions at Western Illinois University and in the Macomb business community, and he had a wide circle of friends and admirers.
Ken was born in Hume, Illinois, on October 1, 1924, so he had very recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was the son of Homer Lee Epperson and Sylvia Elliott Epperson, and he graduated from Newman High School, in Newman, Illinois, in 1942.
Ken received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Science in Education degrees from Western Illinois University in 1946 and 1952. During his undergraduate years, Ken earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track; and he was the state pole vault and high jump champion, and took second place in the long jump. He also served as President of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and the Interfraternity Council. Very popular, he was also chosen as Campus Personality and as Homecoming King. Between completing his two WIU degrees, Ken served in the U.S. Air Force, 1946-1947, and he married Lorraine Barnhart, also a Western student, on April 15, 1949, at the First Christian Church in Blandinsville.
Ken was an Industrial Arts teacher and coach at Greenfield High School, 1947-1948; and Industrial Arts teacher and basketball coach at Macomb High School, 1948-1952; the principal at Blandinsville High School, 1952-1954, and then was the Superintendent of the Northwestern School District (now West Prairie) for five years. From 1959 to 1961, he was with the Office of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, as Assistant Director in the Division of Special Education.
Ken started his 22-year career with Western Illinois University in 1961, first as an Admissions Counselor in charge of High School Relations. During the 1960s WIU grew at a rate of 1,000 students per years. Soon widely known throughout the state, Ken was selected to head the Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors in 1966. During this busy period, Ken also completed his doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University. That was awarded in 1969. Later, in the 1970s and early 1980s, Ken served as Western’s Director of University/Community College Relations. And he served as President of the Illinois Community College Association. He retired from WIU in 1983.
After his retirement, Ken joined his wife in real estate. They launched Century 21 Purdum-Epperson, Inc., in 1990, and it became a leading agency in western Illinois. During his business career, Ken received several production awards and was named Macomb Realtor of the Year.
During his many years in Macomb, Ken was a great follower of WIU Athletics, and he served as President of the WIU Leatherneck Club. He was also named to the WIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He also served on the WIU Performing Arts Board. Ken received the WIU Alumni Achievement Award in 1987.
His community leadership was also evident in many ways. He was, for example, President of SURS at WIU, and he served as a Spoon River College trustee for 12 years. He was also the Chairman of the McDonough County United Way for several years. He was on the Wesley Village Retirement Center Executive Board, and he served as well on the Macomb Planning Commision.
Ken was also a 50-year member of both the local Masonic Lodge and Macomb Kiwanis Club. He also held memberships in the Macomb Country Club, the American Legion, the First Presbyterian Church ( where he was a trustee), and the McDonough District Hospital Golden Apple Society. Earlier, Ken had also served as Chair of the Board for the Blandinsville Christian Church and Chair of the Board for the First Christian Church in Macomb.
Ken was also a talented woodcarver and sculptor. He carved the first Western Illinois University seal in 1974, in celebration of WIU’s 75th anniversary. That official seal is now housed in the Registrar’s Office. In other years he carved a number of smaller WIU seals, as presentation gifts for retiring adminstrators and faculty members. Ken also designed and carved the Western Illinois University Mace, which is carried and used at every commencement and at special academic events.
Ken was active with his wife Lorraine in many Macomb community, and WIU, efforts. Their recent large gift to the WIU Foundation, to close Western’s $60 million-dollar fundraising campaign, is one notable example. Ken and Lorraine received the Isaac and Ethel Leighty Community Award, given by the McDonough County United Way.
On a personal note, Ken was a great socializer, and he especially enjoyed golfing, dancing, and playing bridge. He was also devoted to the Epperson’s Sheltie dogs, Skipper I, II, and III.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, nephew, Paul and Christine Epperson, sister-in-law, Roberta Epperson, and cousins, Sue Goetz, Steve Williams, and Bob Williams.
Visitation will be at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014. The funeral service will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Mark Merrill officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held, immediately following the funeral, at the Macomb Country Club.
Memorial contirbutions may be made to the Ken and Lorraine Epperson Scholarship Fund, at WIU (through the WIU Foundation) or the First Presbyterian Church.
Ken was born in Hume, Illinois, on October 1, 1924, so he had very recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was the son of Homer Lee Epperson and Sylvia Elliott Epperson, and he graduated from Newman High School, in Newman, Illinois, in 1942.
Ken received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Science in Education degrees from Western Illinois University in 1946 and 1952. During his undergraduate years, Ken earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track; and he was the state pole vault and high jump champion, and took second place in the long jump. He also served as President of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and the Interfraternity Council. Very popular, he was also chosen as Campus Personality and as Homecoming King. Between completing his two WIU degrees, Ken served in the U.S. Air Force, 1946-1947, and he married Lorraine Barnhart, also a Western student, on April 15, 1949, at the First Christian Church in Blandinsville.
Ken was an Industrial Arts teacher and coach at Greenfield High School, 1947-1948; and Industrial Arts teacher and basketball coach at Macomb High School, 1948-1952; the principal at Blandinsville High School, 1952-1954, and then was the Superintendent of the Northwestern School District (now West Prairie) for five years. From 1959 to 1961, he was with the Office of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, as Assistant Director in the Division of Special Education.
Ken started his 22-year career with Western Illinois University in 1961, first as an Admissions Counselor in charge of High School Relations. During the 1960s WIU grew at a rate of 1,000 students per years. Soon widely known throughout the state, Ken was selected to head the Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors in 1966. During this busy period, Ken also completed his doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University. That was awarded in 1969. Later, in the 1970s and early 1980s, Ken served as Western’s Director of University/Community College Relations. And he served as President of the Illinois Community College Association. He retired from WIU in 1983.
After his retirement, Ken joined his wife in real estate. They launched Century 21 Purdum-Epperson, Inc., in 1990, and it became a leading agency in western Illinois. During his business career, Ken received several production awards and was named Macomb Realtor of the Year.
During his many years in Macomb, Ken was a great follower of WIU Athletics, and he served as President of the WIU Leatherneck Club. He was also named to the WIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He also served on the WIU Performing Arts Board. Ken received the WIU Alumni Achievement Award in 1987.
His community leadership was also evident in many ways. He was, for example, President of SURS at WIU, and he served as a Spoon River College trustee for 12 years. He was also the Chairman of the McDonough County United Way for several years. He was on the Wesley Village Retirement Center Executive Board, and he served as well on the Macomb Planning Commision.
Ken was also a 50-year member of both the local Masonic Lodge and Macomb Kiwanis Club. He also held memberships in the Macomb Country Club, the American Legion, the First Presbyterian Church ( where he was a trustee), and the McDonough District Hospital Golden Apple Society. Earlier, Ken had also served as Chair of the Board for the Blandinsville Christian Church and Chair of the Board for the First Christian Church in Macomb.
Ken was also a talented woodcarver and sculptor. He carved the first Western Illinois University seal in 1974, in celebration of WIU’s 75th anniversary. That official seal is now housed in the Registrar’s Office. In other years he carved a number of smaller WIU seals, as presentation gifts for retiring adminstrators and faculty members. Ken also designed and carved the Western Illinois University Mace, which is carried and used at every commencement and at special academic events.
Ken was active with his wife Lorraine in many Macomb community, and WIU, efforts. Their recent large gift to the WIU Foundation, to close Western’s $60 million-dollar fundraising campaign, is one notable example. Ken and Lorraine received the Isaac and Ethel Leighty Community Award, given by the McDonough County United Way.
On a personal note, Ken was a great socializer, and he especially enjoyed golfing, dancing, and playing bridge. He was also devoted to the Epperson’s Sheltie dogs, Skipper I, II, and III.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, nephew, Paul and Christine Epperson, sister-in-law, Roberta Epperson, and cousins, Sue Goetz, Steve Williams, and Bob Williams.
Visitation will be at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014. The funeral service will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Mark Merrill officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held, immediately following the funeral, at the Macomb Country Club.
Memorial contirbutions may be made to the Ken and Lorraine Epperson Scholarship Fund, at WIU (through the WIU Foundation) or the First Presbyterian Church.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
