1998 Hepler Family Reunion Memories
1748 Celebrating our 250th year in America! 1998

SATURDAY'S EVENTS - August 8, 1998

To better accommodate the larger crowd we expected, we moved Saturday's activities to the Mahantongo Fire Company, located on Main Road, in Pitman. The featured event of the afternoon was a skit telling the story of how Casper Sr. & Susanna Hepler's family left their homeland in Vaihingen, Germany, and journeyed to the New World. Later that evening we sat down to a catered dinner, after which cousin Don Yoder, Ph.D., author and former history professor at the University of Pennsylvania, gave a slide presentation on the Pennsylvania Germans. Click on the above link to see photo memories of this day!

SUNDAY'S EVENTS - August 9, 1998

As has been our tradition, we all met at the Zion Cemetery on Sunday morning to pay tribute to our Hepler ancestors, especially Revolutionary War partriot brothers Jacob, Christopher, Casper Jr. and George. Janis Bell, a Hepler cousin, was be the keynote speaker. Click here to read her inspirational speech. Local Rifle and Color Guard units gave their salute.

The day continued with lunch served at Hepler Grove, followed by our special anniversary gathering. Speakers were Dr. Don Yoder, who talked about our ancestors, and Anna Lise Doshe, a resident of the Vaihingen area who brought an anniversary message and gifts from Germany! 22 states & 3 countries participated during our popular Call of States - a time when each state is called in alphabetical order, and Heplers from all over come to introduce themselves. Musical entertainment was provided as well, we held our "Mystery Auction", and many said their good-byes as they prepared to return to their homes.

MONDAY'S EVENTS - August 10, 1998

Overcast and rainy skies couldn't keep 90+ happy Hepler's from attending Don Yoders "Hepler Heritage Bus Tour". Fortunately after an early downpour, the rain held off for most of the remaining day. We travelled to Sciota, Pa, site of Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church attended by our Scheible & Jacob Hepler ancestors. Then on to Alburtis, site of the Zion Lehigh Lutheran Church. This is a church attended by our early Wagner & Maurer ancestors. Next stop, Old Zionsville, site of the original Caspar & Susanna farm and the Zion's Lutheran Church. This is the church that Caspar helped found. Lunch was provided by the women of the church. The final stop on the tour was to Mertztown to visit the Longswamp United Church of Christ, another of our historic Hepler churches in Berks County.

What were your favorite memories?

We'd love to hear and share your thoughts about the reunion. What was your favorite event of the reunion? New friends? Etc. Send them to Reunion Memories and I'll add them with your name & state to any of the four pages you'd like!! Please be brief and try to keep to 3-5 sentences.

    
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