Elmer Ira Van Epps, 76, of Sweet Home passed away Thursday in Corvallis, Oregon. He was born in Holly, Oregon to Ira and Mildred (Fruit) Van Epps.

He lived in the Sweet Home area his entire life and graduated from Swee Home High School with the class of 1956. On November 20, 1962 in Lebanon, he married is wife of 50 years, Marilyn Sturgis. He worked at various mills in the area before retiring on May 30, 1998.

Elmer was a simple, hard-working man. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and attending the Saturday market at the Elks in Lebanon. One of his greatest joys was being a grandpa and great grandpa.

He is survived by: his wife, Marilyn Van Epps, Sweet Home; daughter, Rhonda and her husband Skip Miller, Sweet Home; son, Jerry Van Epps, Albany; sisters, Jean Blackwell, Crawfordsville, Ruth Sumstine, Lebanon; brothers, Ralph Van Epps, Sweet Home, Carl and his wife Shirley Van Epps, Lebanon; grandsons: Brandon Miller, Seattle, Cody and his wife Krystle Miller, Lebanon, and a great grandson, Trenton Miller; numerous nieces and nephews; brother and sister in law of Sandpoint, Idaho.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Elbert, Glen, Lyle and Iris Gates.

A celebration of life open house will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday, September 2, 2013 at his home.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.