Obituary: Julie L. Hise

Julie L. Hise, born September 18, 1962 in Frankfurt, Germany, lost her battle with a fast moving cancer on Sunday, June 28, 2009. Julie was preceded in death by her mother, Helen (Sam) M. Hepler, who passed away after her own long battle with cancer in 2008.

Julie graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she also worked. Working for Communiversity was something Julie truly enjoyed, almost as much as she enjoyed the people she worked with. Julie also had a life-long passion for horses. She rode as often as she could, and is the proud owner of two horses: Clarence and Roadie along with a very sweet dog named Nessie.

Julie loved to read, but she especially loved reading various genres of speculative fiction. She not only attended science fiction conventions, but has also worked in many departments (including chairing) two Kansas City area conventions. Julie was a past member of the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society.

The one thing Julie loved more than almost anything was to make people laugh, and that she did on a regular basis. While sometimes atrocious, her puns always left you groaning for more. She always shared any particularly humorous jokes or videos she found on the Internet. Julie was “green,” before it was cool. But she also didn’t mind wearing an erupting volcano on her head to help the vaudeville show, and had my own bizarre taste for strange television shows such as Dead Like Me or The Black Adder. She was bright, funny, compassionate, clever, ornery, and a wonderful friend who was always willing to listen. 

Julie is survived by her husband, Robert L. Hise of Kansas City, Missouri as well as her father, Jack L. Hepler of Locust Grove, Virginia. Mr. Hepler is a retired Army helicopter test pilot, and worked in the design and production of several helicopters for the military. He is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. 

Julie also has two younger brothers. Rob is aircraft engineer, and lives with his wife, Laurie, and their two children in Tacoma, Washington. The youngest member of the family, Chris, is an electrician and lives with his wife, Denise, in St. Charles, Missouri. 

Julie Hise's Service will occur Sunday July 12th, 2009 at the Westport Presbyterian Church located at 201 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO. (click here to map directions) Visitation begins at 1:30 PM, and the main service will be held at 3:00 PM

Flowers/Donations

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Luke's Hospice (St. Luke's Hospital Foundation (Hospice Donation), 4225 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111) would be greatly appreciated.