Dale Epperson, 72, of Blair died on May 22, 2000, at Immanuel Hospital after an extended bout with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the Country Bible Church in Blair. Burial will be in the Herman Cemetery.

Dale was born on October 20, 1927, in Basford, Nebraska, in Burt County to Charles and Ollie (Richards) Epperson.

He attended school in Burt County and graduated from high school in Tekamah in 1945.

He was united in marriage to Ellen Sheets on December 11, 1949, in Herman. They had four children.

During his early years, he farmed in Burt County. He moved to Omaha in 1955, whee he worked in sales at Coca-Cola, Sealtest Ice Cream, real estate, and retail sales at Montgomery Ward. He retired in 1990 and moved to Blair.

Since retirement, he became an avid gardener, selling at Blair's Farmer's Market. His hobby of wood working, building birdhouses, bird feeders and other crafts led to numberous craft shows.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mindy and Jim Hightower of Elkhorn, Shelly and Larry Bumpus of Blair, Kristy and Dan Kelly of Omaha; a son, Jeff Epperson of Omaha; eight grandchildren, Beckie and Mark Lawver, Blair, Anne Hightower, Des Moines, Iowa, Jake Hightower, Elkhorn, Spec. Joshua Payne, Fort Hood, Texas, Rachel Payne, Blair, David, Katie and Amber Kelly, Omaha; one great-grandchild, Caleb Lawver, Blair; many nieces and nephews; two sisters, Eloise Cameron, Mohave Valley, Ariz and Joyce Korth, Pittsburgh, Penn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Norma Anderson, Frances Forst, Leora Christensen, and a brother, Arlo Epperson.

Memorials may be directed to the County Bible Church Building Fund.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.