Kathryn J. Epling (Katy) was born in Lancaster, Ohio, but came home to Shalersville only a few days later when she was adopted by David & Irene Ruehr. Katy attended Crestwood Local Schools in Mantua, graduating from Crestwood High School in 1997. She enrolled in Heidelberg College (now Heidelberg University) in Tiffin, Ohio, and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2001. Katy married Jon in 2001, and they live in Rootstown with their three children Grace, Matt, and Joey. She enjoys writing, traveling, gardening, boating, and spending time with family.
After college, Katy took a job at Diebold, Inc., where she worked as a software engineer for four years. When Grace was born, Katy left her corporate job to be a stay-at-home mom and has served in a variety of volunteer positions with MOPS International and her church. She now works as a freelance writer and copyeditor, skills she gladly uses for Epling Estates along with her own writing ventures.