JAMES EPLER obituary

HARLEM - James Joseph Epler, 63, died of an intestinal rupture at his home Thursday evening, Aug. 7, 2003.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Harlem High School gymnasium with burial following in the Harlem Cemetery. Cremation has taken place at his request.

Jim was born on Oct. 17, 1939, in Glasgow to Keith and Cathleen (Ramey) Epler. He graduated from Harlem High School and attended Northern Montana College in Havre.

Jim married Marcella Poore of Zurich on Sept. 9, 1961. He worked for Knute Kulbeck and lived and worked on the Brook Farm, which was also known as the Mohar Place. They moved several times but remained in the Harlem area. Jim also worked for the O'Leary's Service Station. In 1966 Jim started his own construction business. In 1979 they moved to town, where Jim continued his full-time construction business. In June of 1991 they purchased the Handy Market.

Jim was preceded in death by his son Curtis Epler in 1985

Survivors include his wife, Marcella Epler of Harlem; daughters, Cindy (Darryl) Magnuson of Billings and Candus (Robert) Scheffelmaer of Harlem; parents, Keith and Cathleen Epler of Billings; sister, Margaret "Peg" (Dwight) Grimm of Argile, Texas; and five grandchildren.

Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook is handling arrangements.