Gerald J. Scheppers, PhD

Gerald J. Scheppers, PhD, age 76, of Platteville died at home on Tues Feb.16, 2010, after living with Parkinsons Disease for over 30 years.

Gerald was born April 11, 1933, in North Bend , NE , son of Mary (Emanuel) and Joseph Scheppers. As a young man he worked with his father at the Sinclair station and drove truck for Ray Smeal Transfer. He served in the Coast Guard from 1952-1956. He graduated with a B.A. in Education from Wayne State in 1962, then completed an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry at Iowa State in 1967.

Gerald met Elvera Deppe at a dance in Snyder , NE , and married her July 16, 1960. Together they had 7 children and made a life in Platteville , WI , where Gerald taught chemisty at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for 27 years, retiring in 1993. He also served as chairman of the faculty senate, and chairman of the chemistry department. Gerald was passionate about teaching, dancing to a good polka, and seeing his children perform in sports or music.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Elvera Scheppers. Surviving children and grandchildren: Jean (John) Graczkowski, Zach, Zoe, Emmy, Maria, and Dominic of Ocala, FL. Jessica (Tom) Hill, Jason, Alexandria , Jordan , Ryan, Holly of Platteville , WI . Jason (Maggie) Scheppers, Logan, Chandler , Jeremy of San Antonio , TX . Jennifer (Ken) Holte, Jackson, Tanner, Justina of Plymouth , MN . Jocelyn (Randy) Richardt, Andrew, Jacob of River Falls , WI . Tony Scheppers, Amber of Madison , WI . Bethany (Paul) Deneen, Landon, Cora of Shell Lake , WI .

Surviving brothers and sisters: Theresa (Francis) Klitz of West Point, NE; Audrey (Roland) Renter of Fremont, NE; Leona (Jerold) Kracl of Schuyler, NE; Mary-Jo (Larry) Maly, Tempe, AZ; Bernard (Vicki) Scheppers of Omaha, NE; James (LaDonna) Scheppers of Longmont, CO; Joseph (Diane) Scheppers of Omaha, NE; Leonard (LaMaar) Scheppers of Gering, NE; Helen (Michael) Pfeifer of Fremont, NE. And sister-in-law Marlene (George) Snell of Snyder. Preceded in death by his parents and his brother Paul Scheppers.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Platteville with Monsignor Charles Schluter officiating. Visitation was held on Friday, February 19 from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. where there was a Scripture Service at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services all at the church. The Martin Schwartz Funeral Home in Platteville is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred to Southwest Health Center Hospice or the UWP Foundation.

Thank you to Southwest Health Center Hospice staff especially Ingrid, Barbara, Bernie, Andy, Nancy, Marie, Brittany, and Amanda, and also volunteers, Sheila and Sally.