Funeral service for MAJ (Retired) Daniel "Dan" Eppler will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024 in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brantley Tillery officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Daniel R. "Dan" Eppler died Sunday, June 16, 2024 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 88.  He was born August 17, 1935 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Rudolf and Vera Eppler.  He attended school in Lawton and Osaka, Japan and was a 1953 graduate of Lawton High School.  He attended Cameron State Agricultural College before earning a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University.  He would later earn an additional degree from Cameron University in 1986 after his retirement from the Army.  He married Gloria Joyner on June 15, 1968 in Ivor, Virginia.

Dan became a local pastor in the United Methodist Church.  He served congregations in Hulen, Bethel, Cyril, Cement, Lawton Redemption Church and Wesley United Methodist Church in Lawton.  He served on the board of directors for Comanche County R.W.D. #3, serving many years as chairman.  He was one of the original Hulen Volunteer Firemen, helping get the department established.  He was an active member of Emmaus Community, Kairos Prison Ministry and Kairos Torch.  He was especially proud to have served as a volunteer chaplain at Comanche County Memorial Hospital and Southwestern Medical Center for over 20 years.

Dan was a member of Hulen United Methodist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason for over 60 years, a member of Lawton Masonic Lodge #183, National Sojourners #129 and Heroes of 76.  He was also a  member of Purple Heart Chapter #602.

He is survived by his wife, of the home; daughter, Deborah Chabinak, Perkins, Oklahoma; sons, Daniel Eppler, Jr., Florida and David Eppler, Geronimo, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Sarah Chabinak, Perkins, and Ashley Lopez, New York; a sister-in-law, Irma Eppler; as well as several nieces.

His parents and two brothers, Hilber Eppler and wife Inge, and Rudolph Eppler, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to  Hulen United Methodist Church, 267255 E. 1733 Road, Walters OK 73572 or the Hulen Volunteer Fire Department, 13702 SE Baseline Road, Walters OK 73572.