(A Life Of Advocacy, Love, & Adventure)
Laurie Kepler Hurley, 81, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Laurie was born on April 1, 1944, in Davenport, Iowa, to Maurice Eugene (WWII Air Apaches pilot) and Evalee Boughan (Chicago Pharmaceutical’s first female sales representative), Kepler.
Along with younger siblings Melinda (David) Kepler Freeland (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and William Scott Kepler (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Laurie spent much of her youth with her extended family on their farms.
The family moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., while she was in elementary school. It was then that Laurie met her lifelong best friend, Diane Dufner. Together they survived the ‘60s fashion, spouses, parenthood, cross-country moves, an escaped lion at the Birmingham Zoo, a 50-year class reunion, and video-chatting grand-kitties.
While pursuing dual degrees in Secondary Education and Food Science at Indiana University, Laurie married. She and her husband had three daughters; Melissa, Deborah, and Carrie. They were brought home to join the Mack family of McKeesport, Pa., at Old Home Manor in Indiana, Pa.
A relocation to Alabama allowed Laurie to pursue studies at the University of Alabama (Business Administration and Graduate Real Estate I and II). Laurie truly loved her Southern life, frequently spending time in Sarasota, Fla., with family.
Laurie was also a member of the Huntsville Garden Club, playing golf, tennis and Bridge.
But her primary passion was her girls. She sat through countless hours of ice-skating practices, driving all over the country for skating competitions, hand-sewing most of their competition outfits.
Each day was filled with the girls’ activities: skating, tap, jazz, ballet, acrobat, Brownies, Girl Scouts. And somehow Laurie managed to make sure their homework was always completed, too. She nurtured their individuality, as well. Melissa’s flair for fashion was indulged as Laurie’s closet inventory dwindled.
Deborah’s passion for animals resulted in an ever-expanding number of furry residents. Carrie’s early singing career was supported by repurchasing the “Grease” 8-track many, many times (over her sisters’ objections).
In 1981 Laurie married Patrick L. Hurley. Along with Patrick came three new children (Lori Bosco, Faie Day, Richard Hurley), and a new town, Bryan, Ohio. She embraced it all, becoming an active participant.
In 1982 she received her Activity Director Certification from Owens Technical College and began working for Bryan Nursing Care. She would later attend The Defiance College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Psychology-Sociology.
Laurie taught briefly but found her true calling as a CASA-GAL.
Advocating for abused, neglected, and underrepresented children in the court system would be her passion for the rest of her life. Laurie enjoyed traveling extensively with her husband, both stateside and internationally. Among her favorite adventures were their trips to Brazil, Argentina, Austria, Mexico and Germany.
Laurie was on the board of the Bryan Recreational Complex/YWCA, helped establish the CASA/GAL program in Williams County, was a member of Le Bas Bleu, Investment Club, Orchard Hills Country Club, and enjoyed playing Bridge, golf, tennis and bowling. Her friendship, practical sense of humor, potato salad recipe, and special Grammy phone calls will be desperately missed.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. at Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506, to share memories and love. Private interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton, Ohio, at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be directed to your local humane society or to the Omar L. Spangler Community Fund – Bryan Area Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to the family or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com.