HERKIMER-Julie Marie Shepard, age 49, of Folts Street, passed away unexpectedly, on Monday, December 23, 2002 in Little Falls Hospital. Born on October 4, 1953, in Herkimer the fifth child of Evelyn Bunce Shepard Miller and the late Robert E. Shepard. A lifelong area resident Julie had graduated from West Canada Valley High School and had attended Herkimer County Community College. Julie held various positions with local companies, more recently working for APAC in Utica. A member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Utica, Julie followed the desires of the heart and became an active member with the organization PRIDE Women Oriented Women. A loving and caring person, Julie enjoyed being with friends, sharing ideas and will be greatly missed. Surviving are Julies mother, Evelyn Miller of Herkimer; two brothers and their wives, Richard and Cathy Shepard of Taylors, SC, David and Deana Shepard of Newport, one sister Patricia Kazek and her husband Daniel of Boonville, several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Funeral Service will be on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. The Reverend Caran Anderson, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery next spring. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Friday from 2:00 4:00 and 6:00 8:00 p.m. Memorial donation may be made to MOVAC or a charity of choice.