KEPNER OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri
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KEPNER, Glenn Sterling 1908 - 1994

Glenn Sterling Kepner, 837 NW 1201 Rd., Urich, died at his home Friday, August 
12, 1994, at 10:20 a.m. following a long illness. He was born in Cass County, 
south of Creighton on April 13, 1908, the second child and oldest son of Jerome 
David and Daisy Isabelle (Gregg) Kepner. Glenn spent most of his life in the 
community where he was born, having moved with his family at age four to 
Anaconda, Montana, for about a year before returning to Henry county. He 
completed the eight years of formal education offered by Oak Grove School 
northwest of Urich. On December 15, 1931, he was married to Mary Lena Hall at 
Clinton. After a wedding trip to Oklahoma to visit relatives, the couple made 
their home two miles east of Urich where their four children were born. In 1936 
the couple lived in Kansas City for a short time, then returned to their farm 
home. In 1948 they moved to the present home north of Urich. Glenn and Mary 
farmed and mined coal to support their family and he did mechanical repairs for 
friends and neighbors. He was never too busy to take time to help others. He as 
interested in electricity and electronics and built an operational crystal radio 
set when he was still a child. During the Depression years he worked for WPA, 
until he was hired by Gleaner Baldwin in Independence, serving as a machine 
operator. He then resumed farming, which he followed as long as his health 
permitted, renting the farm to his son when he was no longer able to operate 
equipment. He joined the Baptist Church at Hartwell a few years after his 
marriage, later moving his membership to Urich. He joined the Masonic Order in 
Clinton in 1957, attaining the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite. He was a member 
of the Eastern Star at Urich, where he and his wife were both extremely active, 
filling many offices in the local chapter. The later moved both his Masonic and 
Eastern Star memberships to Garden City. He was also a member of the Messiah 
White Shrine Chapter at Harrisonville, faithfully serving in various offices. He 
was honored with the appointment of Supreme Watchman of Shepherds in that 
order for one year. His remarkable ability to memorize and quote lengthy 
passages made him an impressive member of these fraternal orders. Glenn was an 
avid reader, and although his formal education was limited, he continued to learn 
throughout his life. He loved all children and enjoyed teaching and entertaining 
them with stories, songs and poems he had learned as a youth. He was very 
patient to explain how things worked, and helped with many scientific 
experiments and demonstrations. He was never happier than when he as helping a 
youngster learn, and offered encouragement as well as advice in their endeavors. 
In 1992 he had to have his artificial hip replaced, but was never able to walk 
alone after the surgery. He gradually became bedfast, and was lovingly, patiently 
and tenderly attended by his grandson, Dennis Overbey and his family, who moved 
to a trailer across the road from Glenn. His daughter, Jean Overbey, stayed with 
him each weekend. His daughter, Margaret Kerns, also assisted in his care and 
handled business matters for him. Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, his 
parents, his sister, Maude Dayton in January 1991, and a grandson, David Lynn 
Fountain, at age 28 in 1988. He is survived by his four children, Mary Sue 
Fountain and her husband Fred of Centerville, Ks., Glenna Jean Overbey and her 
husband Max of Harrisonville, Margaret Ann Kerns and her husband George of 
Urich, and Sterling Glenn Kepner and his wife Peggy of Urich; a brother, Lee 
Jerome Kepner and his wife Hazel of Urich; 10 grandchildren, Susan Kay Ross of 
Kansas City, Michael Eugene Overbey of Adrain, Dennis Ray Overbey of the home, 
and Max Douglas Overbey of Harrisonville, Robert Glenn Overbey of Wichita, Ks., 
Bradfield Wayne Fountain of Mound City, Ks., Paul Sterling Fountain of 
Centerville, Ks., Leanne Marie Fountain of Shawnee, Ks., Glenn Sterling Kepner and 
Mary Ruth Schmoll of Urich; 10 great-grandchildren, Amanda Jean and Michael 
Kristopher Overbey of Harrisonville, Sean Eugene, Rachel Lynn and Daniel Eugene 
Overbey of Adrian, Eugene Overbey of Adrain, Phillip Andrew Ross of Kansas City, 
Megan Lynee and Morgan Lace Fountain of Nixa, Perry Andrew and Jeffrey Maylen 
Schmoll of Urich, also Doreen Cooper and her children, Brandy and Justin who 
helped care for Glenn during his extended illness and numerous relatives and 
friends. The funeral was at the Consalus Funeral Home in Urich with a service by 
the Masonic Order at 10 a.m. Monday, August 15. Musical selection was Rock of 
Ages. Grandsons, Michael E. Overbey, Max D. Overbey, Dennis R. Overbey, Glenn S. 
Kepner, Robert G. Overbey, Paul S. Fountain and Bradfield W. Fountain, were 
pallbearers. He was buried in Urich Cemetery beside his wife.

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