Corporal Gerald Ivan "Bud" Shepler

Korean War veteran, Corporal Gerald Ivan “Bud” Shepler, 20, went missing in Korea on November 29. 1950. He was a paratrooper with U.S. Army Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airbourne Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On that day according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, he was the lead scout on a reconnaissance patrol when they encountered an enemy ambush near Hajoyang-ri, North Korea. During the battle, an enemy mortar round reportedly exploded within ten yards of Shepler. Following the action, he could not be accounted for and the U.S. Army declared him missing in action. Gerald was born in Union County, May 13, 1930, to Merle and Ruby Davis Shepler. He attended Union County Schools and developed an early attraction to drawing. A book of Gerald’s drawings from the fifth grade shows army jeeps, airplanes and equipment. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 4, 1948 and on August 4, 1950 while on leave, he married the former Marjorie Smalley, who survives. Gerald’s military decorations include the Purple Heart awarded posthumously to his family, Army Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with Bronze arrowhead device and three bronze stars, Combat Infantry Badge, and Parachutist Badge with one bronze star. Among Gerald’s survivors are his three sisters: Judith Ann Wood of the Orange community, Peggy J. Atwell of Indianapolis; Connie A. Barrett and her husband, Robert of Richmond; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by two sisters: Iona Monzelle Fisher and Patricia Rose Sizelove; and two brothers: Thomas Davis, Sr. and Robert Shepler. Public graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Dunlapsville Cemetery, Union County, with full military honors provided by the Indiana National Guard Ceremony Unit, American Legion Post #122 and VFW Post #1472, both of Liberty. Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange Christian Church, 7649 W Co Rd 400 S, Glenwood, IN, 46133. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, Liberty, is in charge of the arrangements. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.