Ira George Eppinger of Glendale, Maricopa County, AZ was born on April 25, 1922 in Cook County, Illinois United States, and died at age 87 years old on October 3, 2009 in Glendale, Maricopa County, AZ. Ira Eppinger was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery 9925 W Thomas Rd, in Avondale.
Ira George Eppinger was born on April 25, 1922 in Cook, Illinois, United States to parents Ira George Eppinger (1901-1929) and Anna Pelzer (1902-1971). He grew up in Chicago, Cook, Illinois with a brother Raymond Fred Eppinger (1923-1924).
On October 16, 1943 he married Casmiera "Kay" Gasinski (1921-2002) in Madison, Tennessee, USA. The couple had 8 children together.
Ira G Eppinger served in the US Air Force from April 24, 1948 until June 30, 1970. He flew 40 missions in Europe as a navigator/bombardier on the mighty flying fortress, the B-17 during WWIl; performed Search & Rescue Operations in Panama, was assigned as a military advisor in Vietnam, and retired from the military as Deputy Director of Supply and Services in 1970.
04/25
1922
Birthday
April 25, 1922
Birthdate
Cook County, Illinois United States
Birthplace
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Ethnicity & Family History
His father Ira George Eppinger was born on April 12, 1901 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States and passed away there on March 27, 1929.
His mother Anna Pelzer was born on March 4, 1902 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States and passed away there on March 24, 1971.
Nationality & Locations
Ira grew up in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. He later moved to Arizona where he resided in Glendale, Arizona.
Military Service
Ira G Eppinger served in the US Air Force from April 24, 1948 until June 30, 1970.
He flew 40 missions in Europe as a navigator/bombardier on the mighty flying fortress, the B-17 during WWIl; performed Search & Rescue Operations in Panama, was assigned as a military advisor in Vietnam, and retired from the military as Deputy Director of Supply and Services in 1970.
Professional Career
Ira served in the US Air Force for 28 years and later took to the streets as a letter carrier, finally retiring in 1982.
Personal Life & Family
Air Force
10/3
2009
Death
October 3, 2009
Death date
Unknown
Cause of death
Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona United States
Death location
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Gravesite & Burial
mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Holy Cross Cemetery 9925 W Thomas Rd, in Avondale, Maricopa County, Arizona 85392, United States
Burial location
Obituary
A precious soul has slipped the surly bonds of earth to join our heavenly father and the love of his life, our beautiful mother Kay.
Born in Chicago April 25, 1922, dad passed peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 3rd with his family by his side.
He gave his heart and soul to his country, our mother, and his love and wisdom to his 8 children; Al(Deanna), Bob(Theresa), Tom(Linda Kay), Mary Kay Carol(Ted), Gloria(Debra), Linda(Steve), Patti(Larry), 15 grandkids and 16 great-grandkids.
Dad lived a blessed and fulfilled life, serving his country proudly in the Army Air Corps/Air Force for 28 years, receiving numerous awards and decorations for combat services and meritorious service. He flew 40 missions in Europe as a navigator/bombardier on the mighty flying fortress, the B-17 during WWIl; performed Search & Rescue Operations in Panama, was assigned as a military advisor in Vietnam, and retired from the military as Deputy Director of Supply and Services in 1970. He then took to the streets as a letter carrier, finally retiring in 1982.
His other love was fishing rivers, lakes and oceans around the world. Old" Lake Pleas ant was HIS lake and he modestly caught more fish in a day than most fishers could net in a year. True to his generous nature, he released most of his fish so that his "grandkids would have fish to catch" in the future. During his 4 ½ years on home hospice, he continued to amaze and baffle the staff with his resilience and strength, outliving their predictions. Thinking his time was near, the staff would arrive to find him sitting up in bed, smoking a cigarete, enjoying a cocktail, or belting out a song. Throughout all of his trials he maintained his generosity, wit, humor, graciousness, caring for others, and spirit of love and life. He dearly loved his "million-dollar-baby," our mom, every second of his life.
Our thanks to Hospice of the Valley and our many, very special caregivers, especially Jo & Lata. Though he will be sadly missed, we know he is enjoying his reunion with his blue-eyed Polish Princess. Visitation is Wednesday, October 7 at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Rd. in Peoria, with Rosary at 6pm, viewing until 8:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 8 at 8:30am, St. Helen's Catholic Church, 5510 W. Cholla St. in Glendale, followed by burial and reception. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley/Honor of 1.G. Eppinger, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Until we meet HERITAGE again, Papa....Yakakatuzi!
Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Grandparents Ira and Anna (Pelzer) Eppinger Wedding day.
These are my grandparents, Ira George Eppinger, Sr.( April 12, 1901 to March 27, 1929) and Anna nee Pelzer Eppinger (March 4, 1902 to March 24, 1971) on their wedding day, October 19, 1921. Their first born was Ira George Eppinger,Jr., my father, born on April 25, 1922. Ira Sr. and Anna also had a second son, Raymond Fred Eppinger, born Aug. 31, 1923, and sadly passed away at the innocent age of 4 1/2months old on Jan. 13, 1924. When my grandfather Ira Sr. passed away in 1929, Anna remarried Richard "Doc" Arzt, and had 3 more children, Lorraine Dowiartz, MaryAnn Walls (deceased), and Jack(deceased). My father, Ira Jr. turned 83 this year (2005), and sadly misses my mother, Kazimiera "Kay" nee Gasinski Eppinger, who left this world to join our Heavenly Father on July 26, 2002.
Ira George Eppinger, Sr. is the son of Frederick Charles Eppinger and Grace nee Quinn Eppinger of Chicago, and he had one sister, Grace nee Eppinger O'Neil, married to Jerry O'Neil.
In the nose of the B-17 is my father, Ira G. Eppinger (approx. age 25), bombardier- navigator, with an unknown Air Force buddy eye-balling and reliving the hit on the nose of the
massive bomber by schrapnel, which happened very frequently per dad. They were part of the 379th Bomb squad stationed in Kimbolton, England during WW2. We Eppinger children are very proud of our father, and all the service men and women who have given so much so we can enjoy our freedoms as Americans!!! Thank you all!!!!!
This is my father, Ira G. Eppinger at the head of the aircraft on the ground (facing camera), and 2 unknown buddies with the air rescue squad, stationed in the canal zone in Panama in 1949. He served as navigator on the helicopter.
Date & Place:
at Air Rescue Howard AFB in Canal Zone Panama
These are the men of the 379th bomb squad of the Air Force, posing in front of their B-17, "The Flying Fortress", stationed out of Kimbolton, England in WW2. The triangle "K" was their symbol. My father, Ira G. Eppinger is the fourth man on the right of the top row. His very dear friend,
Ed Gyelvick(sp?) who passed on last yr., is the first man on the left, top row.
Date & Place:
at 379th bomb squad/ Air Force in England, Kimbolton
These are my wonderful, loving parents, Ira George Eppinger, son of Ira George Eppinger and Anna (nee Pelzer) Eppinger, and my beautiful mother, the heart of our family who left this earth to be with Jesus on July 26, 2002, Kazimiera "Kay" (nee Gasinski) Eppinger, daughter of Jan Gasinski and Teopita (nee Lenart) Gasinski. Dad and Mom were married on Oct. 16, 1943, shortly before this pic was taken, and missed celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary in 2002 due to our LORD taking a very special angel, my mother... They did create 8 perfect??? angels during their marriage, Alan, Robert, Thomas, Mary Kay, Carol, Gloria, me-Linda, and Patti and a host of grand- and great-grand children.
My great grandparents on the right: Frederick C. Eppinger (3-1-1877 to 10-18-1941) and his wife, Grace (nee Quinn) Eppinger (9-22-75 to 2-8-1954)and their two children, Ira George Eppinger (4-12-1901 to 3-27-1929) and Grace Frances (nee Eppinger) O'Neil (3-8-1907 to 1996). Ira married Anna Pelzer and had my father, Ira George Eppinger. Grace married Jerry O'Neil and had one son, also named Jerry who died in 1942.
People in photo include: Grace F Quinn Eppinger
Date & Place:
in Chicago or Geneva, IL. United States
This is my handsome grandfather, Ira George Eppinger who worked as a realtor in Chicago, IL. in the early 1920's till his death in 1929, at the tender age of 27. He is the son of Frederick Charles Eppinger and Grace (nee Quinn)Eppinger. His sister, my great aunt was Grace Frances (nee Eppinger) O'Neil. He was married to Anna Pelzer, daughter of Lawrence and Anna (nee Gruber) Pelzer of Chicago. Ira and Anna had 2 children, Raymond Eppinger who passed away at the innocent age of 4 months, and my daddy, Ira George Eppinger, Jr. who will be celebrating his 83rd birthday this April 25, 2005.
Here is my sweet little daddy, Ira George Eppinger, Jr., a 1 yr. old with his parents, the handsome Ira George Eppinger and his lovely wife, Anna (nee Pelzer)Eppinger, daughter of Lawrence and Anna (nee Gruber) Pelzer. My daddy grew up to be a handsome man who married the beautiful Kazimiera "Kay" Gasinski, daughter of Jan and Teopita (nee Lenart) Gasinski. Ira and Kay, my parents, had 8 children, me being the number 7 child, Linda Eppinger-Wells. To see this wonderful, loving couple, check out Ira and Kay Eppinger.