Passing of a Dear Friend

I learned today of the passing of my dear friend in Genealogy and History, John Sheperson. John was possibly the most knowledgable person in Boyle County when it came to local history and especially those buried in Union Cemetery. He shared many, many hours of study and research into local history with me over the years. He was, with his wife Eileen, active in many local history projects including the 2005 and 2007 editions of the Gravel Switch Community History book. One of the best books ever written about a community and its people and the heritage of central Kentucky.

I will miss him very much.

John had been fighting cancer for some time and was not feeling well but still getting around last year when we visited with him at his home in Gravel Switch.
His Obituary from the Danville Advocate Messenger On July 7, 2009:
John Sheperson
1945-2009
LEBANON - John Lee Sheperson, 64, of Gravel Switch died Sunday [July 5th].

Born May 8, 1945, in Lebanon, he was a son of Alice Sheperson of Parksville and the late Carlos Lee Sheperson. He was an Air Force veteran and state police officer.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen Sheperson; a son, John Sheperson Jr. of Gravel Switch; four daughters, Anita Sheperson and Rebekah Spears, both of Gravel Switch, Tanya Rice of Rineyville and Sarah Mattingly of Raywick; a brother, David Sheperson of Perryville; a sister, Ella Mae Pendygraft of Parksville; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bosley Funeral Home by the Revs. Lee Arnold and Gerald Hegwood. Burial will be in Old Union Cemetery in Boyle County.

Visitation will be 5-9 p.m. Wednesday.