Isadore Loepker

Isadore "Izzy" B. Loepker, 87, of Lafayette died 3:40am Friday, March 4, 2016 at Creasy Springs after an extended illness. Born May 3, 1928 at Beckemeyer, IL of Isadore Henry Loepker and Margaret Peiler, both preceded him in death.
He married Mary Ann Peterson at St. Boniface Church on May 26, 1951 & she survives. They had four children, twin daughters, Lois Rausch (husband: Don) & Linda Hasser (husband: Melvin Joseph) both of Lafayette, a son, Mark (wife: Sandy) of Odenton, Maryland, a daughter-in-law, Lisa Loepker of Indianapolis, IN. His son, Tom preceded him in death. Also surviving are 2 brothers, Raymond of Lafayette & Robert (wife: Yvonne) of Wayland, NY, a sister, Rose (husband: Robert) of Dansville, NY and 14 nephews & nieces.
He attended various Catholic elementary schools and graduated from Griffith High School in Griffith, IN. He attended Purdue University and the College of Advanced Traffic in Chicago, IL. He served from 1946-1947 in the Navy including 1 year in Tsingtao, China aboard the Destroyer Tender USS Sierra AD 18.
Mr. Loepker worked for the Ralston Purina Co. in Lafayette, IN, Sioux City, IA and Bloomington, IL as Traffic Manager for 20 years. Owned & Operated Loepker & Sons Decorating for 30 years in residential painting and wallpapering, also specializing in Faux Finishing including Marbling and Wood Graining.
He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and actively served on the Parish Council, the Finance Committee, the Scouting Committee, as well as being a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.
He was active in Boy Scouts of America for 15 years, serving as Cub Master, Neighborhood Commissioner and Scout Master. He also served on the Catholic Scout Committee for the Diocese of Lafayette as Assistant Chairman & Chairman. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the BSA & the St. George Award by the Diocese of Lafayette.
Hobbies included family camping, traveling & Wood Carving. As a camping family, they covered 44 of the 48 states in 7 years visiting many National & State Parks. His fondest memory would be sitting around a camp fire in the evenings with his loving wife listening to their children play their guitars & singing church hymns.
As a woodcarver, he held memberships in The National Woodcarvers Association in Cincinnati, OH, The International Woodcarvers Congress of Davenport, IA, the Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers of Branson, MO, the Kickapoo Carvers of Danville, IL & the Lafayette Woodcarvers. He studied with master woodcarvers in Chicago, IL, Frankenmuth, MI, Faribault, MN, Danville, IL, Branson, MO, Bettendorf, IA, Davenport, IA & the Geisler-Moroder School of Wood Carving in Elbigenalp, Austria.
He exhibited & taught woodcarving at the Feast of the Hunters Moon in West Lafayette, the Historical Association at Battle Ground, the WALLA Program in West Lafayette, the Fiddler's Gathering at Battle Ground, the Power & Steam Show at Battle Ground, the Museum of Art in Lafayette & the country fair at the Museums at Prophetstown. For several years he taught Woodcarving 101 a.k.a. Soap Bar carving to hundreds of local school children who came to tour the Museums at Prophetstown on field trips.
Izzy enjoyed Purdue sports & worked as an usher for 41 years at Ross Ade Stadium for football & at Mackey Arena for both men's & women's basketball.
He attained certification as an Indiana Master Naturalist & served as a volunteer teaching wildlife & habitat for the State Biologist at the Portland Arch Nature Preserve.
Charitable contributions may be made to the Lafayette Catholic Schools & St. Boniface Church.
Visitation 5-8pm Tuesday, Rosary at 4:45pm at Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, Lafayette. Mass 10am Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at St. Boniface Catholic Church with Fr. Timothy Alkire & Fr. David Hasser, grandson concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery with American Legion Post #11 & United States Navy Military Graveside Rites.