In Memory of Linda K. Eppert (March 29, 1954 – November 18, 2021)
Rev. Linda K. Eppert died on November 18, 2021, at the age of 67.
Linda was born on March 29, 1954, in Cincinnati, OH. She was the older of two girls born to her parents and was raised in the Presbyterian Church. In high school, she dated Steven who was active in the youth group at the church, and they were married after high school. Linda graduated from the Butler County School of Practical Nursing, OH, (1980) and worked for four years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. In 1982, she decided to go back for her Bachelor of Nursing at The College of Mt. St. Joseph, OH. During her time there, she changed her major to Religious Studies/Pastoral Ministry earning her Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) in 1987. After graduation, she took a job with the Cincinnati Presbytery as their Peace Enabler.
Linda began her M. Div. at the United Theological Seminary in the fall of 1990. After the death of her mother (December 1990), she became increasingly aware that she was theologically different than the denomination she was part of. Looking for a new faith, she began attending St. John’s UU Church, Cincinnati, OH (1995). Within the community at St. John’s, she found a spiritual home, a welcoming congregation, and an acceptance she had found nowhere else. There she was encouraged to become a leader who acted on her worldviews and consciousness, and not the beliefs dictated by others. She found congruency between her calling and the values and principles of UUs. The principle of inclusiveness guided her calling. In 1999, she began the modified Residency Program at Meadville Lombard Theological School, IL to complete her Master of Divinity and graduated in 2002.
Rev. Eppert was ordained on September 23, 2005, by St John’s UU Church, Cincinnati, OH. Following ordination, she served as a youth and young adult minister at the Heritage Unitarian Universalist Church, Cincinnati, OH (2006-2009).
Prior to her ordination, Rev. Eppert served St John’s Church, Cincinnati, OH in various leadership roles. She facilitated adult education classes, chaired the Worship and Liturgy Committee, and served two years as a Director of Religious Development Council. She was also Vice President and Chair of the Board. She introduced the concept of Shared Ministry to St. John’s congregation. Furthermore, Rev. Eppert was involved in the Heartland District of the UUA as a Conflict Engagement and Right Relations Congregational Consultant. In addition to the work with the new Conflict Team, she was active in young adult and campus ministry programming in the District serving as a chair of the Young Adult and Campus Ministry Committee. Likewise, Rev. Eppert served on the RE Curriculum Committee (1995) and was an advisor for the YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalist) (1996-2000). From 2002 to 2003, she was the Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Program Support person. Her sermons reflected her passion for peace in the world. They were drawn from other cultural and religious traditions, such as Native American, African American, Buddhist, and Muslim perspectives. Peacemaking was an integral part of her life and witness. She participated in marches and vigils during the Iraqi War.
In her spare time, Linda enjoyed playing board games and cards. She loved traveling especially with her family. She and her husband Steven made an annual summer trek to the North Carolina beach every summer.
Linda is survived by her husband Steven Eppert, her sister, Cynthia (Dapper) Trimbell (Derwood Trimbell); two children, Joshua Eppert (Marcie Wahba) and Erinn (Eppert) Tucker (Christopher Tucker); three grandchildren, and several other family members including a great-nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, John W. Dapper and Mary (Yeager) Dapper.
A memorial service was held at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, 320 Resor Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45220 on December 28, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Cincinnati Public Radio.
Notes of condolences can be sent to Steven Eppert, 3102 Cove View Blvd, Apt D108, Galveston, Texas 77554.