Alan Martin Shepley, 76, of Mount Vernon, passed away Wednesday, Dec, 25, 2024, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa following a short illness. Visitation is 4-7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17 at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon. Memorial Celebration is 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. Burial will happen at Mount Vernon Cemetery at a later date.
Alan was born May 4, 1948, in Ottumwa, the son of Laurel “Jack” and Dorothy (Stevens) Shepley. He was united in marriage to Barbara Guinn of Milton, in 1968.
Alan started his career working as a stockboy at Mays Drug in Ottumwa. He continued working for Mays Drug after graduating college, serving as a pharmacist and store manager in Bloomington, Illinois, and Round Lake, Ill. In 1974 he moved back to Iowa and worked at the Fifth Avenue Pharmacy in Cedar Rapids as a pharmacist, store manager, nursing home consultant, and part owner. In 1980 he purchased the drug store in Mount Vernon, and remained there until retiring, and sold the business in 2014. He was also part-owner of Care Pro businesses in Cedar Rapids.
Shepley Pharmacy served as a rotation site for University of Iowa pharmacy students. He was a preceptor for the Pharm D Residency program with the University, mentoring and training pharmacy students for work in community pharmacy.
Alan was active in the Iowa Pharmacy Association, serving on numerous boards, committees, and was president of the association in 1999-2000.
Alan served on the Iowa Board of Pharmacy 1984-1993. For 20 years he served on the National Association Board of Pharmacy committee writing the law exam all pharmacy graduates from around the country take to become licensed.
In 1997 he was selected by the Iowa Pharmacy Association for the “Bowl of Hygeia” award for outstanding community service as a pharmacist. In 2014, he was awarded the Robert G. Gibbs Distinguished Pharmacist Award.
He was an active member of the United Methodist Church and the Lions Club in Mount Vernon. Alan was named the Merchant of the Year in 1997. He also served on the board of directors for the Mount Vernon Bank and Trust.
Even in retirement, his love of being a community pharmacist and serving his patients led him to work at the Community Free Health Clinic in Cedar Rapids.
Alan touched many lives and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Barb, of 56 years; children, Scot Shepley of Madison, Wis., Eric (Stacy) Shepley of Strawberry Point, and Sara (Joe) Baitinger, of Urbandale; grandchildren, Siôn, Robin, Corin, Rylynn, and Halie Shepley, and Jack and Charlie Baitinger; sister, Rene (Rick) Ragan; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Jack and Rohn Shepley; grandson, James Baitinger; and in-laws, Raymond and Nellie Guinn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy Scholarship fund, the Community Free Health Clinic in Cedar Rapids, or the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Alan’s tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.