Obituary of Kathaleen Mae Epler Moreland

Kathaleen Mae Epler Moreland
May 25, 1923 – August 18, 2018

Independent, gutsy, stubborn, creative, stoic and Lover of Life … that’s Kate! There are stories about her as well…like the time, shortly after moving to Sargent, Texas, she chopped off the head of a rattlesnake because a young animal control officer was afraid to. And that move to Texas? That was after her retirement and the death of her husband, when she decided she “just needed a change”. Never afraid of a challenge, she graduated from Otterbein College after two of her children, and went on to a successful career as a hospital social worker. Quite a gardener, her iris display brightened the neighborhood each year. After many years in Texas she decided she wanted to be closer to family, and moved to Kingsport, TN where she made her home with her daughter, Jill. Here, she took up the challenge of whittling with her friends at Kingsport Senior Center.

Kate began life in Central College, OH, daughter of Guy and Doris Epler. Her family moved to Centerburg, OH before her high school graduation. It was here that she met a young man, Forest Moreland, and they were married October 4, 1942. In 1947 they moved to Westerville, OH, where they raised their four children.

Kate passed away August 18, 2018 at Christian Care Center, knowing she had lived a full life. She leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and strength for her family and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Kate was preceded in death by her son, Wendell; sister, Juanita McKee; Brother, Reed Epler; and granddaughter, Livia Mae Laek.

Surviving are three daughters; Charma (Eric) Behnke, Jill Murley, Vicky (Steve) Laek; seven grandchildren, Heather (Michael) Daly, Craig Behnke, Jessica (Craig) Chiochanyont, Karena Costello, Kurt (Aaron) Mazuelos, Toby (Kristen) Laek, Tony (Casey) Laek; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will gather at Carter-Trent Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 from 5:00-6:30. Interment will be at Eastview Cemetery in Centerburg, OH at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Kingsport Senior Center, 1200 East Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Moreland family.