Before teaching kindergarten for Coopersville Area Public Schools, David Eppelheimer taught in Guatemala, Belize and the Dominican Republic. In addition to his distinguished teaching career, he is internationally known for his expertise in Christmas antiques. As a partner in the Elves Antiques business in Grand Rapids, Eppelheimer has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, Victoria magazine and the Grand Rapids Press. He was also a guest on “Martha Stewart Living” and spoke on his success as an entrepreneur at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership conference in 1998. Additionally, he served 10 years on the board of directors and as editor of “Golden Glow of Christmas Past,” the international association of antique Christmas ornaments and decorations. Eppelheimer also has been a strong community servant. He is a partner in Clipper Development, an adult foster care residential facility, was a featured host for the Heritage Hill Homes Tour in Grand Rapids and is a Children in Worship leader for Westminster Presbyterian Church. He has been an active 4-H volunteer for more than 25 years, contributing to county, state and national 4-H programs. He’’s been an Ottawa County 4-H volunteer leader for 14 years and an adviser to the Kent County 4-H Teen Club for seven years, and he served as the Kent County 4-H Council president. He also co-chaired the planning committee for the 1986 4-H North Central Regional Leaders’ Forum in Michigan, served on the statewide 4-H entomology developmental committee and has been a volunteer staff member in headquarters at 4-H Exploration Days for more than 15 years. In memoriam August 3, 2017.