Thomas Guy Hepler, 72, of Westminster died unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in Pompano Beach, FL. Born on July 29, 1951, in Butler, PA, he was the son of the late Guy Roland Hepler and Ellen Nulph Hepler. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of almost 50 years, Peggy Jo Watson Hepler.

After graduating from Slippery Rock University in 1973, Tom moved to Westminster where he worked as a language arts teacher for 36 years at Taneytown Middle School, Northwest Middle School, and West Middle.

He was a loving and supportive father to Zac and Mandy, coaching their sports teams, helping with Boy Scouts, and volunteering with them on mission trips led by Westminster United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the church and enjoyed singing in the choir. He loved cheering for the Steelers and playing in a weekly golf league with Zac at Oakmont Green where he also worked for the past 18 years.

Since retirement, he and Peggy have enjoyed traveling and were blessed with experiences in Portugal, Germany, Italy, and France; they even had the opportunity to ride camels together in Egypt this past year. Of all his life’s adventures and accomplishments, one of his greatest joys was becoming “Grandpa Tom” to Kaia in 2017 and then “Papa” to Cole Thomas in 2019.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Zachary Hepler of Westminster, his daughter and son-in-law Amanda and Mark Bouvier of Catonsville, grandchildren Kaia and Cole, and brothers Duane, Jeffrey, and Brian Hepler of Butler, PA.

The family will welcome friends on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, 254 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 and on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 2-3 PM, at Westminster United Methodist Church, 165 E Main St, Westminster, MD 21157.

Celebration of life services will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, at 3 PM, at Westminster United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Westminster United Methodist Church, 165 E Main St, Westminster, MD 21157 or the Boys and Girls Club of Carroll County, 71 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157, or online at bgccarrollcounty.org .