Age 83, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2004.  He was born on November 7, 1920 in Orleans Township the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Schramm) Heppe.  Mr. Heppe was a farmer all of his life in Orleans Township and also worked at General Tire for over 40 years.  He married the former Kathleen M. Hatinger on August 2, 1947 and together they shared 56 years of marriage.  He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the 7th Division, 184th Infantry Regiment Company G.  He was awarded the Silver and Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with 3 Oak Clusters, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 4 Battle Start, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Battle Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Marksman Medal, and 4 overseas services bars.  He was also a member of the VFW Sheridan Post #5065.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a baby brother, Adam.  Surviving are his wife, Kathleen M. Heppe of Orleans; children, Carol (Richard) Dees of Okeana, OH, Garald (Fiance, Karen Pieron) of Orleans, and Jayne (Jeff) Johnson of Ionia; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer and Michael Heppe of Atlanta, Georgia, Emily Johnson of Ionia, Jason and Kathleen Dees of Okeana, OH; 1 great grandson, Perry Heppe of Atlanta, Georgia; brothers, Harvey (Gertrude) Heppe and Robert (Lucille) Heppe both of Orleans; sisters, Katherine (Steve) Kenter of Orleans and Mildred Hartman of Ionia; several nieces and nephews.  The Funeral Service will be conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Harger, Pastor at 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2004 at Shiloh Community Church, 8197 Heth Street, Orleans.  Interment will follow at Higbee Cemetery, Orleans, MI with Military Graveside Honors being provided by the Sheridan VFW Post #5065.  The family will receive friends at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 220 Rich Street, Ionia from 2-4 and 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday.  For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children or to the American Heart Association, in memory of Mr. Vernon W. Heppe