Norman VanEpps died May 28, 2018, at his home in Tacoma, Washington. He was 75.

He was born Oct. 23, 1942, in Union City, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Union City Area High School in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army for three years and was stationed in Germany. On Nov. 27, 1965, he married Beverly Palmer in Union City. He graduated from Edinborough College with a teaching degree in 1966. The couple moved to Washington state in 1969 with two young children and had their third child shortly after. He taught at Chinook Elementary in Auburn until his retirement in 1997. He loved traveling, music, woodworking and helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity. He had been serving Jesus since 2002. He and his wife moved to Tacoma in 2004.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Beverly; son Cameron (Kim) of Bellingham, Washington; daughters Laurie West of Enumclaw and Vickie Blakeney (Frank) of Tacoma; brother Creig Merkle (Kat) of Federal Way; and 15 grandchildren.

A memorial service took place Saturday, June 2, at the family home.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to Tacoma Rescue Mission, 425 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 98402, or online at www.trm.org. All may sign his online guest book a www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.