Staff Sergeant Garrick Louis Eppinger, Jr., age 25, lost his life on Saturday, September 17, 2011, serving his country in Afghanistan. Garrick was born on August 9, 1986 to a military family in Portsmouth, Virginia, and later moved to Appleton. Garrick was a 2004 graduate of Appleton North High School, and immediately and eagerly joined the United States Army after graduation. He proudly served two tours of duty in Iraq, and his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. Garrick was a very proud and loving father, and a beloved son, brother, and uncle. He was an active member of the Appleton community. Garrick attended Emmanuel Baptist Church in Appleton and his faith was a very important part of his life. While he was home, he was a student at the University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley, and a committed employee of the Express Convenience Centers. Garrick had an immense love for life, his family, and his country, and he will be greatly missed by all. Garrick is survived by his daughter, Lenorea Rose Eppinger, Appleton; his parents, Garrick, Sr., and Linda Eppinger, Town of Menasha; his grandparents, Richard and Burma Castle, Darien, CT; his grandmother, Arvonne Jakobsen, Ozark, AL; his loving sisters, Shandra L. Smith, Appleton, Cori Reichwaldt, Daytona, FL; Robbyn (Chad) Stanley, Appleton, and Amy (Jeff) Strong, Appleton; his nieces and nephews, Bryan, Melissa, and Joshua Smith, Appleton, Evelynn Strong, Appleton, and Christopher Stanley, Appleton; a great-nephew, Kaden Smith, Appleton; and the many family members around the world that send their love and prayers.
The funeral service for Staff Sergeant Eppinger will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at VALLEY FUNERAL HOME, 2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, with Rev. Patrick Ryan officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, September 30, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a fund that has been established at Community First Credit Union. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you for the outpouring of support from family, friends, and the community during this most difficult time.
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