With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Joan Catherine Schaefer Pung Epkey (Fowler, Michigan), who passed away on June 30, 2023 at the age of 93. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

She was predeceased by : her parents, Frank Witgen and Mary Witgen (Pohl); her former life partners, Richard H. Schaefer and Vernon J. Pung; her husband Louis F. Epkey; her great grandchild Abigail; and her siblings, Marvin Witgen, Evelyn Wieber, Marie Powell, Alma Armbrustmacher, Agatha Mankey and Gladys Rice.

She is survived by : her children, Daniel Schaefer (Diane) of Rhodes, MI, Kenneth Schaefer (Amy) of Cary, NC, Linda Thelen (Jerome L.) of St Johns, MI, Diane Pline (Richard) of Pewamo, MI and Mary Ann Thelen (Brian) of Ann Arbor, MI. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Right to Life or St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Smith Family Funeral Homes