James Peter Van Epps passed away with his family by his side, on Thursday, January 1st, 2015 at Appleton Medical Center, after a 12 day battle with Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Jim was born June 11, 1944 in Neenah, WI. He was preceded in death by his brother Richard James Van Epps, his father Robert James Van Epps and mother Josaphine Stuebs Van Epps Osgood and step-mother Phillis Buck Schneider Van Epps. He had also lost his sister Patricia Looker and his son Michael James Van Epps. Jim served in the US army during the Vietnam War. He retired from the WI Bell Telephone Company in 1984 and returned to college to receive his BA and MA in Education Administration. Jim and his wife Patricia were very active working with kids and battered wives from their church as well as many foster children throughout the state of WI. Jim was a licensed minister with Global Network of Christian Ministries. He loved people, especially his friends at the local coffee shops, and he always tried to enlighten the hearts of all those around him. Jim loved the Packers, starting political and religious discussions, and watching his grandkids play hockey, soccer, football and track along with many other sports. He was extremely proud of all of his kids.
Jim is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia Dawson Van Epps. His three natural children and their spouses: Kay and Rev. Ward Rehbein (White Lake, WI); Bruce and Sheri Van Epps (Waupaca, WI); Kim and Paul Block (Oshkosh, WI); his five adopted children: Angela Van Epps (Wautoma, WI); Michelle Van Epps (Waupaca, WI); Shane Van Epps (Waupaca, WI); Tammy Van Epps (Clintonville, WI); Melissa Van Epps (Wautoma, WI); his eight grandchildren: Julia Van Epps (Waupaca, WI); Brooke and Eric Fisher (Greenwood, IN); Wesley Van Epps (Wild Rose, WI); Jordan and Lauren Rehbein (Milwaukee, WI); Mitchell Van Epps (Wild Rose, WI); Abigail Messer (Wild Rose, WI); Taylor Block (Oshkosh, WI); Kaitlin Block (Oshkosh, WI); his six great-grandchildren: Chloe Beisner (Waupaca, WI); Haiden Van Epps (Waupaca, WI); Eliana Fisher (Greenwood, IN); Emily Beisner (Waupaca, WI); Luke Fisher (Greenwood, IN); Jace Winters (Waupaca, WI). Jim also has a brother Robert and wife Joy Van Epps (Waupaca, WI), a foster sister CJ Casselman (New Lisbon) and foster daughter Lisa Rammer (New London, WI). He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial service for Jim will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Community Church (N2541 County Road K) in Waupaca. A gathering of family and friends will take place at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home in Weyauwega is serving the family.