Rich Eppinger
Rich Eppinger passed quietly Wednesday evening, July 14, 2021, at his home, in the loving hands of his family. Just shy of his 92nd birthday, this gentle, hardworking man was a true caretaker at home and in his community.
From service to his faith and to his county, to his 73-year career as a barber (earning the title of the longest business in operation in Zelienople), to the famous 4th of July pancake breakfast, Rich was the happiest when surrounded by his friends, family and community.Rich proudly served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army. He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in 1971 and faithfully attended the First Baptist Church of Evans City for 58 years; where he also served as an usher, deacon and Sunday school teacher. Selfless and kind-hearted, he was honored in 1991 for donating 10 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross.Rich also held many memberships in town, including being one of the oldest members of American Legion Post 474 of Zelienople, a charter member of the Zelienople Historical Society and a charter member of the Zelienople Park Association.He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Juanita, the love of his life; their four children, Lisa (Dan) Wylie of Harmony, Tim (Rhonda) Eppinger of Harmony, Beth Nicklas of Ellwood City, and Adam (Christy) Eppinger of Harmony; 11 grandchildren, Emily, Luke, Bart, Meghan, Shane, Josh, Paige, Gabrielle, Lily, Hayden and Tucker; and 10 great-grandchildren, Palmer, Camilla, Clementine, Hayes, Haddie, Hucksley, Ansley, Brooks, Bryant and Jaxon. He is also survived by his brothers, Roy (Irma) Eppinger of Arizona and Donald Eppinger of Harmony; his sisters, Florence Gross of Zelienople and Stella Rape of Mt. Chestnut; two sisters-in-law, Judith Barnhart of Harmony and Sandy Palmer of Zelienople; and many nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Rich was preceded in death by his brother and sister, Harold Eppinger and Eleanora Sloan.His family's desire is to honor his legacy of making this world a better place through kindness and generosity. This life we celebrate was one lived to the standard we should all strive for, rich in all the things that truly matter. He will be missed.Eppinger — Visitation for Rich Eppinger, who died Wednesday, July 14, 2021, is open to all from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Boylan Funeral Home, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople. Additional visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Gospel Life Church (formerly First Baptist Church), 242 S. Washington St., Evans City. Lunch will be served following the service.Rich will be laid to rest with full military honors at Grace Church Cemetery in Harmony.Memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Wounded Warriors Project, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or to Gospel Life Church “Missions.”Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
