Julie Erma Pepas

Julie Erma Pepas, 90, of Perrysburg, OH and formerly of Port Clinton, went to her heavenly home, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 while at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. Julie was born on June 12, 1921 in Columbus Grove, OH to Lydia and Steve Peto. She and her seven siblings eventually moved to Ottawa, OH, where they all lived during Julies early childhood. Julie enjoyed the company of her brothers: Steve, Andy, Bill and Nick in addition to her sisters: Mary, Elizabeth, and Tillie. Julies parents moved their family to Port Clinton, OH in her pre-teen years. The untimely death of her father meant that all of the children needed to help more on the family farm. Five mile walks to and from Gypsum School each day, in addition to her daily farm chores didnt keep Julie from being involved in activities like playing the violin with her school orchestra. Julie went on to business college in Detroit, MI, but returned to work at Standard Products in Port Clinton. In 1941, she represented Standard Products in the Miss Port Clinton contest that she won. After two years of dating the love of her life, Joseph J. Pepas, they married at St. Michaels Church in Rossford, Oh in 1941. For a brief time, they lived in Lakeside, OH until Joseph became part of the Army 37th Infantry Division, 144th Station Hospital Unit and had to leave for the South Pacific. While Joseph was an Army Medic in the South Pacific, Julie was working at the Erie Army Depot. Her best kept secret was that she learned to drive while he was away. She surprised him with the news when she picked him up at the Toledo Greyhound Bus Station in 1945. Their only child, Sharonkae, was born in Port Clinton, where they lived in 1946. Julies famous triple layered birthday cakes were the hit of Sharonkaes annual birthday parties. Julies Hungarian heritage always would shine through as she prepared memorable meals of chicken paprikas, fried chicken and shared her artistically decorated Santa Claus and angel cookies. Julies life-long membership at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Port Clinton, provided a witness to her commitment of service to her Lord. Over 63 years of marriage to Joseph before his death in 2004, Julie always provided a Christian example of faith, hope, love and perseverance to her daughter and loving granddaughters, Heather and Heidi Hammon. In addition to her employment at the Erie Army Depot, in finance and accounting, Julie enjoyed working at the Ottawa Job Corps Center, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the Port Clinton WRWR Radio Station. In 2004 Julie moved from Port Clinton to Perrysburg, where she resided with her daughter, Sharonkae, son-in-law, Jack and her granddaughter, Heather. While in Perrysburg, she was able to spend many fun times with the added sparkle of her life, Evan, her great-grandson. Julie is survived by her loving daughter: Sharonkae Pepas Hammon; devoted son-in-law: Jack Hammon; loving granddaughters: Heather Hammon and Heidi Chad Olszewski; adorable great-grandson: Evan Joseph Olszewski and many loving nieces and nephews. Julies parents: Lydia and Steve, husband: Joseph, siblings: Steve, Andy, Bill, Nick, Mary, Elizabeth and Matilda preceded her in death, as did an infant brother. Visitation will be from 2-4 & 6-8PM, Friday, September 23, 2011 in the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Clinton, OH. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dan Keck, at 11:00AM, Saturday, September 24, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church Port Clinton, OH, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Julie maybe given to Hospice of Northwest Ohio and St. John Lutheran Church. Online condolences maybe shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com. Julies family wishes to thank her angelic caregivers at Hospice of Northwest Ohio and Pat Middleton, her faithful home caregiver. They would also like to extend loving thanks to her loving nieces and nephews, who brightened many of her days by their visits.