Michael L. Hepp

Hepp, Michael L. "Coach Mike" 59, of Valparaiso, formerly of Munster, IN passed away on February 18, 2014 after a yearlong courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Mike was born on October 17, 1954 in South Bend, IN to Dorothy (Waters) and the late Henry (Bud) Hepp. Mike grew up in Highland, IN where he graduated from Highland High School in 1972. He attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University in 1977 majoring in History and Physical Education and he earned his Master of Science Degree in Education from Indiana University. He taught and coached in the Lake Station School System for 35 years and also worked at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond especially enjoying his work with the youth in the First Tee Program. Mike was an amazing son, brother, uncle, teacher, coach and friend. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry (Bud) Hepp. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy (Waters) Hepp; his sisters and their husbands, Pam and Bill Schiller of Valparaiso, IN and Cyndy and Don Rastovski of Demotte, IN; and his brothers and their wives, Chris and Nancy Hepp of Fishers, IN and Jamey and Betsy Hepp of Irvine, CA. He deeply loved and enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews, Andrew and wife Amber, Austin and fiancée Mallory, Emily, Karlee, Aaron, Brooks and Nick. He will also be missed by Yukon, his canine buddy, and all of his friends, students and athletes who meant so much to him. Mike dedicated his life to the students and families of Lake Station. He started his career at Edison Jr. Sr. High School in 1977 and he remained there until his retirement in 2012. His career included teaching Jr. and Sr. High History and Physical Education. Mike was also a varsity coach for the Eagles: cross country, golf (2 years), baseball (8 years), boys basketball (8 years), and football (12 years) which included a 1998 sectional win, only the second in school history. Mike loved to win, but he felt it was more important to help develop young men and women by teaching the values of hard work, accountability, and doing what was right. His legacy will live on with the thousands of lives he touched in his years of teaching and coaching. Mike was larger than life. . . big in stature with an even bigger smile. He was fiercely loyal and generous to his family, friends, students and colleagues. Mike enjoyed golfing and traveling to Las Vegas, Biloxi, and any warm climate with a golf course. He was an avid follower of his favorite sports teams including the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame's Fightin' Irish. Friends of Mike and his family along with former students and colleagues are invited to share their memories at an open house celebrating Mike's life on Saturday, March 8, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Presentation of Memories at 6:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life will take place at Hawthorne Park Community Building, 500 Ackerman Dr., Porter, IN 46304 (off of Waverly Road). Mike's family would be honored to receive your favorite stories, memories and photos to share at his Celebration of Life by emailing them to coachmikehepp@comcast.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a scholarship fund established in his name benefiting graduating high school seniors. Make checks payable to "Edison Jr. Sr. High School" noting it is in "memory of Coach Hepp" and mail to Edison Jr. Sr. High School, 3304 Parkside Avenue, Lake Station, IN 46405. Arrangements made by Dykes Funeral Home Inc., Valparaiso, IN. 219-462-3125.