SHERIDAN - Services for Zane Karl Hepp, 69, will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Quiet Rest Cemetery in Story.

He died Dec. 17, 2001, at his home.

He was born May 13, 1932, in Sheridan, the son of Christian K. and Dora (Greub) Hepp; and was raised on the family ranch on Piney Creek.  He attended school in Johnson and Sheridan counties and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1951.  A basketball player throughout school, he also was active in FFA and the Rodeo Club.

In 1952, he married Ramona Jackson and they were the parents of four children.  The couple later divorced.

After working on the family ranch in Kearney, he entered the U.S. Army in November 1953 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division.  He was honorably discharged and awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

He returned to the family ranch and married Alice Bryant in 1963.  The extended family included two Bangerter sons and two more born to the couple.

They bought a ranch on Indian Creek in Otter, Mont., and raised children, cattle and horses until the ranch was sold in the mid-1980s.  The family retuned to Sheridan and he worked for the State of Wyoming at the National Guard Armory for 12 years.

Following his retirement in 1997, he received many certificates of achievement for his work.  He then worked part-time for Sheridan College on the maintenance crew until 2000.

He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially during holidays; and attending Sheridan County rodeos, grandchildren's sporting events and ropings.

He was known for telling horse, hunting and fishing stories about trips with his friends and family; and loved Appaloosa horses, especially his leopard stallion, Buckshot.  He collected Western art and bronzes.

Survivors include his wife; brother, Earl Hepp, and his wife of Buffalo; six sons, Jim Hepp, Wade Hepp and his wife, Lany Bangerter and his wife of Gillette, Kim Bangerter and his wife and Chris Hepp; daughter, Connie House and her husband; and 19 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Zana Kay, at age 13.