Obituaries

Brian Alan Peppler, age 76, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away peacefully on April 3,
2026, surrounded by family at home. He was born on February 20, 1950, in Lima, Ohio, to William and Lenora (Stilwell) Peppler.

Brian grew up in Ohio and Michigan, the son of a reporter-turned-lawyer father and an artist
mother. After graduating from law school at Ohio Northern University, he returned to Sault Ste.
Marie to join his father, William, and his sister, Diane, in private law practice. Over the course of his career, Brian also served in the public defender’s office and was elected to multiple terms as Chippewa County Prosecutor. He was deeply committed to his community, lending his time and leadership to victim advocacy, mental health boards, senior programs, the Great Start program, and efforts to combat prescription drug abuse.

Brian will be remembered most by family and friends for his kindness to all, his pure joy of being in the woods, and his many passions, which he loved to share with others. He was a fixer of mechanical and wooden things as well as personal problems, injustices, and inequalities. He was an educator and mentor, willingly sharing his many passions and interests with others and guiding many younger people with a firm and loving hand. He was a “gatherer” of people, connecting with others every chance he had, including generations of fraternity brothers, Laker hockey players, and former school friends.

Above all, Brian was a family man. He was a brother, uncle, loving partner, supportive father, and Papa Bear to the grandchildren he adored.

His legacy includes his devoted partner, Camela Yeck; son, Cory (Beth) Peppler of Mukwonago, Wisconsin; daughter, Niki (Brent) Rudolph of Mason, Michigan; step-son, Anthony (Lori) Fenlon of Rockford, Michigan; grandchildren, Zachary Peppler, Alex Peppler, Amelia Rudoph, Tess Rudoph, Riley Fenlon, and Zoe Fenlon; brother, William (Patricia) Peppler of Mackinaw City, Michigan; nieces, Kortney (Paul) Peppler and Kelsey Peppler; mother-in-law, Phyllis
Yeck; sisters-in-law, Annette Eustice, Leah Kling, Lynne Yeck, Alice McPherson, Carole Yeck, and their families; many cousins; and many, many friends.

A Celebration of Brian’s Life will be held in the Superior Room of the Cisler Center on the LSSU campus on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Visitation will be held at 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with the Memorial Service beginning at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s honor may be made to the Diane Peppler Resource Center, P.O. Box 698, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.