Corliss Olene Kepler

Corliss Olene Kepler, 85, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., following a sudden illness. She was born Jan. 6, 1925, in Barton County, Homer R. Lathrop and Marguerite Mallory Lathrop. She was married to Carl O. Kimsey on Feb. 2, 1944, and he preceded her in death. She later married James R. Kepler on Aug. 18, 1962, and he preceded her in death on March 15, 1987.

Olene was born and raised in Barton County. She came to Vernon County in 1962 and has resided here since. She worked for a time at Tate's, Gibson's, and Nevada R-5 Schools, but was primarily a homemaker. Olene was an avid gardener.

Survivors include two sons, Donnie Kimsey, Irwin, Mo., Greg Kepler, Nevada; one stepson, Larry Kepler of Texas; three stepdaughters, Faye Kreitman, of Minnesota, Jane Rumbaugh, of Nebraska, and Lois Reed, of Alabama; one grandson, Kevin Kimsey, Springfield, Mo.; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; one brother, H. C. Lathrop, Sheldon; and one sister, Marilyn Bond, Sheldon. She was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at Moore Cemetery, Nevada, with the Rev. Bart McClaughry and Mark Harwell officiating. Friends may call now and until 10 a.m., Thursday, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, and the family receives friends from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Moore Cemetery, Nevada.

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