Madeline Margaret McCoy Schaepler

Madeline Margaret McCoy Schaepler, age of 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2014 at her home in Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was born on January 15, 1926 in Gosper County, Nebraska southeast of Elwood to Edward & Margaret (Mauck) Wildman. She attended rural school at Fairview-District #12 thru the 8th grade, then attended Elwood High School and graduated from Edison High School in Edison, Nebraska in 1943. During her childhood years in the 1930’s her family moved to many different homes following the employment where it was available. Madeline commented they were very efficient in packing and a dish was never broken. After graduation she did domestic work in Edison and Elwood homes. She also worked in the Edison Café and Swanson’s Turkey Processing Plant in Oxford, Nebraska. On January 12, 1946 she married Victor McCoy. They lived in San Luis Obispo, California where he was stationed in the service. Madeline worked at Woolworth’s Department Store. After his service they moved back to Furnas County and owned and operated their farm south of Arapahoe for many years. The marriage was blessed with 2 children, Linda Sue and Steven William. Madeline worked for Horace Bellamy at the State Farm Insurance Agency for 15 years and worked with her close friends Peg Ziebell and Irene Vandament at Irene’s Style Shop in Arapahoe. Victor and Madeline later divorced. Later in life Madeline managed the Arapahoe Senior Center for several years in which she thoroughly enjoyed the work and being with her friends every day. Madeline loved the play cards and belonged to Bridge and Pinochle card clubs. On Madeline’s 75th birthday she was engaged to Donald Schaepler. They were united in marriage on March 23, 2001 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe. Her family was very important to her especially her grandchildren and being with her sister and brothers. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, friend, and a dedicated wife and caregiver for her husband. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church at Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don in September 2013, 2 brothers Gerald (Jerry) Wildman and Robert (Whitey) Wildman, and brother-in-law Alvie Orthman and nephew Gary Wildman, also nieces Beth McCoy and Jane McCoy; sisters-in-law Arva Holloway, Eula (Fritz) McCoy, June Roepke, and brother-in-law Wayne McCoy. She is survived by her son: Steve and wife Diane McCoy of Arapahoe, Nebraska Daughter: Lyn Tupaz of Lincoln, Nebraska Sister: Delta Orthman of Scotia, Nebraska Sisters-in-law Jenny Wildman of Burwell, Nebraska Marge Wildman of Neligh, Nebraska Grandchildren: Joel McCoy of Lincoln, Nebraska, Nichole McCoy of Lincoln, Nebraska, Heather (Kole) Kugler of Kearney, Nebraska, Napoleon Tupaz of Lincoln, Nebraska Special Great Grandson: Kruz Kugler of Kearney, Nebraska Step-Daughters: Deborah Hanebuth of Alma, Nebraska Christine & husband Rick Bothell of Prescott, Arizona Step-Son: Charles & wife Vickie Schaepler of Kearney, Nebraska Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Friday, January 24, 2014 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home, Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 1:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Pastor Becky Saddler, officiating. Private inurnment will be at Elwood Cemetery, Elwood, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to donor choice. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.