On December 13, 2012, Jerry J Nepil passed peacefully from this world into the loving hands of his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He went in time to celebrate Christmas with his Savior, and his son, Glen, and other loved ones who preceded him in death.
Jerry was born on May 14, 1924 at his home in Hopp, Montana, and was the sixth of seven children to Frank and Anna Nepil. He attended grade school at a country school in Hopp and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1943. He was president of his local chapter of Future Farmers of America, loved and played football, and held two jobs during high school. Jerry married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Mary Ann Cowan in Big Sandy on September, 29th, her birthday and her parent’s anniversary. Jerry and Ann celebrated their 68th anniversary on September 29, 2012.
Jerry was an active member in every community in which he lived. He farmed southeast of Big Sandy, Montana from high school graduation until his health forced him to retire. He was an excellent farmer, had a small herd of registered Black Angus cattle, and had a sharp business mind. Jerry served on the Big Sandy school board for many years. After retiring, he and his wife, Ann, moved to Havre where they became avid bridge players. Jerry was very proud of them earning their Life Master Bridge status. After living in Havre, Montana, they sold the farm to their sons, Glen and Cliff, and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They remained in Coeur d’Alene for eleven years; moved to Great Falls to be closer to family, and continued to play bridge until Jerry lost his eyesight. They made many dear friends wherever they lived. In 2001, Jerry and Ann moved to Miles City, Montana to live with their daughter and son-in-law, Jeri Ann (Jan) and Jack Nesbit, where they lived until the time of Jerry’s passing.
Jerry, affectionately known as Papa to all his loved ones, was the rock of the family. He was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves behind his wife, Ann, and three surviving children, Jeri Ann (Jack) Nesbit, Blanche (Dell) Saeman, and Clifford (Michelle) Nepil, nine grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one sister, Ella Mae Cline of Fort Benton, Montana. He was preceded in death by his son, Glen Franklin Nepil, his parents, Frank and Anna Nepil, his brothers, Frank, Bill, Laddie, and Charlie Nepil, and one sister, Emily Tomes.
Visitation will begin on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 18, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 19, 2012
Grace Bible Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 18, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 19, 2012
Grace Bible Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Donna Waddell says
Ann, Jan, Jack and family,
The loss of a loved one is never easy, please know that you are all in my prayers.
May you find comfort in knowing that Jerry is with the Lord now and is at peace. He will be missed by all who knew him & loved him.
God bless you all.
Cammy and Dwayne Rude says
What a kind and lovely man Grandpa Jerry was! We are terribly sorry for your loss. Though he will be missed, Jerry will be remembered fondly. You are all very blessed to have had Jerry in your lives.
Cammy and Dwayne
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Jan, Jack, and Family, Our condolences on your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Doug and Diane
Jan Munroe says
Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. Jerry was such a neat man and had been part of your life forever. Jan, Jack,and family you have my deepest sympathy. Jan
Tawny Nelson says
Dear Ann, Jan, Jack, Annette, and Family;
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Jerry. Even though I only met Jerry a few times in your home, he made a huge impression in my heart!! And to think we all had his banana splits!! He will be celebrating Christmas in Heaven and even though you are heavy in heart know that God’s Word is true! God’s Word says in Isaiah 61:3-“He will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness.” ~Tawny Nelson
(Isaiah 61:3, TLB)
S. Lee says
I want to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one and share the hope promised in the Bible.
Jesus promised that “those in the memorial tombs will…come out.” (John 5:28, 29)
In harmony with God’s original purpose, those resurrected as humans will have the opportunity to live on a paradise earth. (Luke 23:43)
This promised future includes perfect health and everlasting life for obedient humans.
The Bible says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” (Psalms 37:29)
Annette Gorton says
Thanks everyone, for all the kind words, thoughts and prayers.
Myself, as well as all of my cousins and our children, were very blessed to have this man as our grandfather (and great-grandfather). He was so involved in all of our lives that he will be sorely missed.
Nearly all of my favorite memories include him–most family vacations, most holidays, and as our oldest, Matthew, was born on Papa’s birthday, every one of Matt’s birthdays. The two were known as the “birthday buddies”!
All who knew him experienced his rich humor, joy, and generosity. He had more “best friends” than anyone I’ve ever known! If you were one of them, you would know exactly what a “polecat” is–an affectionate term he used for all of us “best friends” at one time or another.
One time in Coeur d’Alene, we pulled up to a stop sign and Papa had my dad roll down his window, stating that he knew the man who had pulled up in the car next to us. The man in the next car rolled down his window and Papa proceeded to ask him, “Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?” We all nearly died of embarassment! Uncle Cliff and I fought to dive onto the floorboard in the backseat. But, we’re still laughing about it 20 years later. I could probably fill pages with examples of Papa’s humor!
He never lost his temper or raised his voice at any of us grandkids, although at times we all deserved it. Instead, if we were up to something, he was probably in the thick of it with us! I can’t begin to guess how many times he covered for us when he could’ve ratted us out. If one of us happened to get into trouble, it wasn’t our parents’ opinions that we feared; rather, we all loved and respected him so much, we worried more about what Papa would think. He was so special to all of us.
I’m eternally grateful that in his last years, my children were able to have him in their lives, too. Not many are so fortunate as to have four generations living across the street from each other. We were blessed, indeed! And we will miss you terribly, Papa, but we are comforted in knowing that one day we will all be together again!
Bob & Jean Pokorny Scofield says
Ann and family, Thinking of you and sending our sympathy and prayers.
Wally and Pep (Pearl Peck) Jewell says
We are so sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. Jerry and his family were always one of the true friends of the Peck clan. One of our favorite memories of the Nepil family revolves around a New Year’s Eve party at your home in Highland Park in Havre. It was cold as blazes (when is it not cold as blazes in Havre) and one of the items on the menu was ham. Grampa Ray Peck was there with his buddy Jerry of course and Ray was having a bit of the sauce to warm him for the long cold drive home. Needless to say he got a wee bit too warm. But then he made, or probably someone made for him, a ham sandwich. For some reason he was having a hard time hitting his mouth with the sandwich, he kept trying to stuff it into his cheek. Jerry, and everyone else, thought that was so funny ‘cuz Ray “never” drank.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all, Wally and Pep.
Denise Harvey says
Dear Jan and family,
I have heard wonderful things about your father and I know he will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Denise Harvey
Tammy Schreiber says
Dearest Jan, Jack and Ann:
Jerry was a dear friend and I will miss his ornery sense of humor. From now on, whenever I watch a Duke game, Jerry will not be far from my thoughts. Though, he will be missed, I know he is home with Jesus, and what a blessing that is. You are all in my prayers. I love you.
Tammy
Roger Hagan says
Nepil Family, Please know you are in my prayers for your loss. I remember Jerry as a kind and supportive father who always seemed to be at every school event and was encouraging to all of us kids. We were blessed by his presence. God Bless, Roger