Tommy Caleb Hepler, 88, of 2609 Snake Run Road, Covington, Virginia, passed away at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Monday, February 8, 2010 after a short illness.

He was born June 5, 1921 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Charles Guff and Nora Bennett Hepler.

In addition to his parents Tommy was preceded in death by three brothers, Wilbur Hepler, Elmer Hepler and James Myers.

Mr. Hepler was School Bus driver for the Alleghany County School System for 53 years in the Dunlap Creek and Snake Run areas. He loved his family and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Ruth Perry Hepler of Covington; four sons, Tommy Hepler, Jr. and his wife, Beverly of Rogersville, TN; Sammy Hepler and his wife, Debbie of New Hartfort, Iowa; Jimmy Hepler and his wife, Mary, and Bobby Hepler and his wife, Bonnie, all of Covington; one daughter, Karen Sue Porterfield and her husband, Jim, of Covington; 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; two brothers, Allen Hepler and Daniel Hepler, both of Covington; one sister, Dorothy Newcome of Chesterfield; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The interment will follow in Lone Star Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 PM at Arritt Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2010 in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel, Covington, Virginia.