Edward August Epping, age 89, of O'Fallon, Ill., passed away Friday, February 8, 2008 following a brief stay at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center, Lebanon, Illinois. Ed was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Kay Harkin. He is survived by his dear wife, Doloros "Dee Appleton" Epping, of O'Fallon; son, Edward August Epping, Jr., of Williamstown, Mass.; daughter Cheri K. Epping of Chicago; step-daughter, Jane Appleton (Keith) Schoeck of O'Fallon; brother Robert H.F. (Marcella) Epping of Granite City, and nephews Robert Epping, Jr. and David Epping. All funeral services will be private.

The following is from Edward's own hand:

I made my first curtain call on this stage of life on September 8, 1918, the first child of Mary Linkeman Epping and Edward J. Epping. My final bow came after riding the elevator of life from the bargain basement to the glittering penthouse.

My life was molded by the Great Depression from 1929 through 1940 and by World War II. I was drafted, I did not enlist, in March of 1942 and honorably discharged in November of 1945 from the US Army Air Force. Of that 45 months, 34 months were spent in Europe. I saw, and was a victim of, the world's oldest caste system, the military. A few months after my discharge, I took and passed, the CPA examination. I originated and owned various types of businesses in Chicago, Springfield and O'Fallon, Illinois, including the "Keg, Crate and Barrel" in O'Fallon. At the age of 68, I retired. I have relatives – some I tolerate and some I don't. I have friends, a very, very few, I painfully discovered many years ago during a very bleak and dark period in my life.

I am happy to state that the happiest, most worry-free period of my life began on September 6, 1997: the day Dee Appleton and I were married. Dee's laughter, constant good cheer and sweet disposition make our life together just plain wonderful. Thanks, Dee, for giving me a new life!

I am convinced that when I pass from life to death, not I nor anyone else is going to "sit on the right hand of God" (whoever that is) or on the left hand of the devil for that matter. I want no funeral ceremony, no flowers and no monies contributed to any charitable or any other organizations in my memory. I began life very simply, and I want to leave this life the same way.

Goodbye.