"My sincere Condolences to Tom and Paul.... their Brother Fr. Wayne was their guiding light when they were young. I know Cookie and Tom are both blessed to have Fr. Wayne by their sides in Heaven. Fr. Wayne was an inspiration to many souls here on Earth ! God Bless !"
In loving memory of
Fr. Wayne Epperley, C.S.Sp.
January 4, 1954 - July 3, 2020
Fr. Wayne Epperley, C.S.Sp. of Detroit, MI, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, died at Vibra Hospital, Detroit MI on July 3, 2020 after a brief illness. He was 66 years old.
Fr. Epperley was born January 4, 1954 in Ludwigshafen, Germany. He professed his vows as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit on August 1, 1978 at the Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ferndale, CT and was ordained to the Priesthood October 1, 1983 at St. Marguerite's Church in Tooele, Utah.
Fr. Epperley was first appointed in 1983 to the Spiritan mission in Mexico for 7 years. In 1990, he was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Conway, AR until 1992 when he was offered an opportunity to serve in the missions of Brazil. His work in the missions was cut short by illness and he returned to minister at St. Anthony Parish in Sterling, CO and Queen of Angels in Idyllwild, CA. In 1997, he was assigned to Our Lady of the Valley in Hemet, CA. He was then appointed as parochial vicar in 1998 to St. Bridget Parish in Milford, UT. In succeeding years, he was designated pastor of St. George Catholic Church in St. George, UT and to oversee St. Christopher Parish in Kanab, UT. He also was pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns, UT and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Salt Lake City. His work among the poor and Hispanic community was greatly needed and appreciated. In 2008, he was again assigned to Our Lady of the Valley in Hemet where he ministered until 2012 when he was appointed as pastor to Old St. Mary's in Detroit, MI. He recently was appointed temporary administrator of Holy Family Parish in Detroit in addition to being pastor at Old St. Mary's.
Fr. Epperley was preceded in death by his parents Thelma and Warren Thomas Epperley. He is survived by his brothers Tom and Paul and families. The viewing will be at Old St. Mary's in Detroit on Wednesday July 8 from 3:00-9:00pm and Thursday July 9 from 9:00-10:45am. A vigil prayer service will be held Wednesday evening at 7:00pm at the church. The funeral Mass will be on Thursday July 9th at 11:00am. CDC and Michigan Health guidelines will be in effect for the viewing and funeral. Mass and burial will be at a later date in St. Marguerite's Church in Tooele, UT.
In memory of Fr. Epperley donations may be made to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit designated for retirement or for the educations of future Holy Spirit Fathers and Brothers, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park PA 15102.
Tributes
"Father Wayne was an excellent priest and great person. Enjoyed his homilies while he was at Old St. Mary?s in Detroit. I would attend 8:30 AM mass at Old St. Mary?s throughout the year, and during the summer, i would attend wearing my work uniform before heading to work at one of the downtown stadiums. After mass, He?d always ask me, ?are you working?? If i was, he?d asked what time the game was and tell me not to work too hard, and I would share stories about things seen and experienced at work. Rest In Peace. "
"I met Fr. Wayne Eppererley at Old St. Mary's in Greektown. He was always professional in is manner, I enjoyed his services at the church. I just wanted to say, meeting Fr.Wayne Epperley was a a spritual leader. Rest in peace. Lynette & George Rodriguez"
"July 5, 2020 Old St Marys has lost her Shepard. We are so grateful to of had you as our Pastor and Priest. We will truly miss you, your beautiful Latin Masses, your confessions, your wisdom and spiritual friendship. God Bless you Father Epperley. Youll always be in the hearts of Old St. Marys parishioners. Mike and Sharon Wilson, Mrs. Regina Kuczynski- Parishioners"
"Father Wayne was a childhood friend and neighbor, more like a big brother. He baptized my baby Jennifer October 1982 at the Cathedral of the Madeline SLC, UT when he was still a decon. I was honored. "
"Sad for your passing, Father Wayne. You lifted up the people of Tooele throughout your ministry. We will be honored to prayerfully pay tribute to your life in the Holy Mass."
"Rest in Peace! Fr. Wayne was perhaps among the few of what I would have called "Practical and ordinary" Priests I have ever met. Absolutely no pretense, down to earth and most of all REAL! My condolences to his family and friends! Andrew Sporner"
"Father Wayne was a great friend, an awesome priest. I had the honor to serve with father Wayne as his Chairman when he was our Administrator at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Hemet, CA. He was and still is my best friend. Father, I miss you and will always love you. Thank you for everything. I will always be your Chairman. - Arnoldo Saucedo. Hemet, CA"