Rosemary Hepner

Florence Rosemary Alexandra (Ryan) Hepner, 97, died Monday, April 28, 2014, in Fayetteville. She was born Oct. 29, 1916, in Chicago, Ill., to Thomas and Florence (Noss) Ryan, the second of six children. All of her siblings preceded her in death. She spent the happiest years of her life with her husband of 39 years, Irving N. Hepner, who died in 1989. She graduated from Park College with a BA in literature and from Emporia State University with a master of library science degree. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs. She was a homemaker and loving mother, serving as home room mother, PTA president, Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout leader and Sunday school teacher for her children. As an avid reader, she passed on her love of books, libraries and reading to her family. Rosemary was a remarkable woman who combined grace and great intellect in an independent spirit. She served as a role model for all who knew her, especially young women who found her to be a source of inspiration in many ways. Through the years, Rosemary was involved with numerous charitable and volunteer organizations. She served on the Siloam Springs Public Library Board and volunteered at the library. She served on the Siloam Springs Hospital Auxiliary Board and volunteered at the hospital for many years. She was a member of Chapter CE of the PEO Sisterhood, the Koinonia Club as well as several Women's Circles at the First United Methodist Church. She is survived by her four children and their families, Caroline Wear of Centerton, Steven and Lynn Hepner of Orlando, Fla., John and Georgia Kunze of Fayetteville, and Virginia Hepner and Malcolm Barnes of Atlanta, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Rachel Kunze, Nick and Chris Wear, Sarah and Simon Hepner, and Alec and Vanessa Barnes; one great-grandchild, Emily Wear; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank her caregivers at North Hills Life Care and Rehabilitation, Washington Regional Hospice as well as three special nurses, Alicia Robinson, Lindsay Clement and Laurel Keeping, for their wise and loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Rosemary be remembered with memorials to Washington Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, AR 72702; or the Siloam Springs Public Library, 401 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761. To honor the anniversary date of her marriage, the family has planned a private graveside interment on Aug. 9 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs. To sign a guest book visit, www.wassonfuneralhome.com. Friends are invited to a celebration of her life at WhiteLine Designs Studio, 188 E. Township, Fayetteville, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 9.