HATTIE SHEPPLER
Hattie Sheppler, 97, of Alpena passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022. Hattie was born Oct. 28, 1925 in Alpena, Michigan to the late Karl and Martha (Bolenz) Bock. Hattie had an older brother Chuck and two younger brothers Walt and Eric Bock. Hattie was the sole surviving member of her sibling family.
Hattie was preceded in death by her husband Richard Sheppler who died March 14, 1997. Richard was employed at Besser Corp from 1937 to 1985 before retiring as Besser’s longest serving employee. She was also preceded in death by her daughter Kathryn Cody (Larry) who died March 29, 2022. Hattie is survived by her dear friend sister-in-law Annalee Bock, daughter Nancy McClung (Lloyd) of Alpena, Barbara King (Ken) of Palmdale, California, and son Jeffrey Sheppler (Renee) of Alpena.
Hattie is furthermore survived by eight grandchildren Gretchen (Darren Eck), Sarah Leichnetz, Kimmy and Michael King, Jennifer and Adam Cody (Cassandra), Nicole (Bradey Smith), and Nathan Smart (Ashley) plus nine great-grandchildren Madeline, Elijah, Ethan and Lily Eck, Iyla and Jude Smith, Jaxon and Cambri Smart, and Brayley Nitzel. Hattie lived most of her life in Alpena in the Ford Ave neighborhood and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. For years she played a favorite card game, ‘tonk’ on a weekly basis with a circle of lifetime friends. These special friends included her neighbor Doris Knechtel. Hattie was an active participant and supporter of the Alpena Plaza Pool, and a long-time member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church-Alpena. Her work career began during WWII as a Defense Contract factory worker on 11th Ave in Alpena. Later she was a waitress at Alpena Hotel and a teacher’s aide at Lincoln Elementary School. After retiring she resumed work as a volunteer at the Alpena Woman’s Shelter for many years, earning the honor of Michigan Volunteer of the Year in 2004 and was recognized accordingly by a State of Michigan ceremony in Lansing. Even until her death, she volunteered hours knitting mittens distributed to needy children during the Winter holiday season.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 with visitation at 2 p.m. followed by 3 p.m. service at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 727 South 2nd Ave with Pastor John Shipman officiating followed by celebratory meal served in the church basement. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Alpena Plaza Pool, or Hospice of Michigan. Arrangements were entrusted with McWilliams Funeral Home.