Loren ‘Wayne’ Pepple, 96, passed away on April 30th, 2025, at Gordon Manor, Redwood City, CA.
Wayne was preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence and Robert, an infant sister, half-brother Clarence, and his parents, Ivan and Elsie (Overbey) Pepple. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Margaret (Harville), and their children, Merriam Hanley (Robert) of Tehachapi, CA, Monica Pepple of Bloomington, IL, and Loren Pepple II of Odin, IL.
Wayne was born on August 5, 1928, on a farm near Belle Rive, IL. In his early years, he attended a nearby one-room schoolhouse like the one where his mother taught. After high school, Wayne attended Southern Illinois University, where he met his future wife, Margaret. They farmed in rural Illinois for a few years, after which Wayne joined the Marine Corps. During that time, they lived in California and North Carolina before returning to Illinois. Wayne returned to school and obtained a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. After graduating in 1961, Wayne and Margaret moved to Palo Alto, CA. Wayne had a long and successful career that spanned more than 30 years with the Illinois Central Railroad, Pacific Fruit Express, and Southern Pacific Railroad as a civil engineer, working his way up to Director of Hazardous Materials with Southern Pacific. He was honored by the Association of American Railroads as a member and vice chairman of the Bureau of Explosives Steering Committee for his service, which enhanced the safe transportation of hazardous materials in North America. After retiring in 1990, Wayne and Margaret enjoyed splitting their time between Palo Alto, CA, and Odin, IL, where Margaret grew up.
Family was very important to Wayne. No matter where he went, he was always on the lookout for anyone who was related to him. Job number 1 to him was taking care of his wife and children. Everything he did, he did for them. Church was always an important part of his life, and he was a long-time member of Palo Alto First Christian Church and Odin Christian Church.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Odin Christian Church with Brother Claude Howell officiating. Wayne will be remembered for his devotion to his family and his generosity to others. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Odin Fire Department, Long Prairie Baptist Church, P.O. Box 133, Belle Rive, IL 62810, Palo Alto First Christian Church in California, or Odin Christian Church, and will be accepted for the family at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. Irvin Macz Funeral Homes in Odin and Centralia are privileged to be assisting the family of Loren ‘Wayne’ Pepple.
