taking pride in name, longevity and reputation for excellence
Gottlob Aupperle & Sons … WM. Aupperle & Sons, Inc … Aupperle Construction
No matter the title painted on the sign or side of the truck, the Aupperle family has built a solid foundation for quality since Gottlob mixed his first wheelbarrow of concrete in 1905.
Described as a quite man, short in stature, Gottlob had a simple philosophy, reinforced by his steadfast, hard-working German heritage;
“Do every job as though it was the only job you have to do.”
His sons; William and Orin, put that pledge to work and passed it on to the third generation - Ken, Bill Jr., Roger, and Steve - to work the family business, each taking the enterprise to new heights.
The fourth generation - Bill, Jake, and Samantha - are now taking those life lessons to heart and looking to the future.
The Aupperle name is a respected tradition in Morton, and for miles beyond because of an unwavering commitment to excellence, fairness and honest family relationships.
Family values are at the heart of the business, and that’s why so many employees have stayed for 30+ years.
Travel through the first 120 years of history and learn why doing it right the first time is the only way Aupperles does business.
history since 1905
1876 - 1952
FOUNDER
Gottlob Aupperle was born on January 7, 1876 in the small town of Odenhardt in Wurttenburg County, Germany. At the age of 16 he immigrated to the United States, not speaking English and with no more than five dollars in his pocket.
For the next few years, he worked on a family farm in Ohio. This farm is where he met his future wife, the farmer’s daughter, Anna Zimmerman.
Gottlob and Anna married September 8, 1898. By 1900 the newlyweds had moved to Morton, IL. and purchased a farm on Market Road (now Main St.). The farm remains in the Aupperle family to this day.
Gottlob began building concrete structures on their farm; feed lots, barn foundations, etc.
With each structure he built, Gottlob would engrave the date. The oldest structure dates back to 1905.
Gottlob soon found himself in demand for concrete from his fellow neighbors and soon the Township of Morton building culverts and bridges. From there, Gottlob Aupperle & Sons was born.
gottlob j. aupperle
william ‘bill’ aupperle
1901-1986
President 1952-1966
William Aupperle was the eldest son of Gottlob Aupperle. From an early age, he worked alongside his family in the concrete business, learning the value of hard work and craftsmanship. Following Gottlob’s passing, William took over as president and renamed the company Wm. Aupperle & Sons, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the family legacy.
During his prime years, Bill was known for his signature two-coat concrete finish — a mark of craftsmanship that set his work apart. After more than fifty years focused primarily on farm and residential projects, he began expanding into commercial work, carrying forward the family legacy with the same dedication to quality and detail that had defined his career..
second generation
orin aupperle
1909-1357
Orin Aupperle was the youngest son of Gottlob Aupperle. He balanced his time between the family concrete business and his responsibilities on the farm, often joining the crew after his farming duties were done.
A highly skilled concrete foreman, he was respected for his workmanship and dedication, though his true calling remained in farming. His life was tragically cut short on June 6, 1957, when he was killed in a farming accident while helping a neighbor — a reflection of his generous spirit and willingness to lend a hand.
kenneth w. aupperle
1933-2025
President 1966-1998
Ken Aupperle, the eldest son of WIlliam Aupperle, devoted his life to the family concrete business, with the exception of his years spent at Bradley University and serving in the U.S. Army.
Under Ken’s leadership, the company continued to grow and diversify. He expanded the swimming pool division and added a new excavating division.
Ken’s wife, Carol, worked in the company office, while their son, Bruce, spent his summers working in the field — continuing the family tradition of hands-on dedication and pride in the Aupperle name.
third generation
william ‘bill jr.’ 0. aupperle
1941-1965
vice President 1965
William “Bill” Aupperle Jr., the second son of William Aupperle, graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science degree and began his career with the family company.
He worked with the business for two years before his untimely passing, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and a deep connection to the family trade..
roger aupperle
1945
President 1998-2004
Roger Aupperle, the only son of Orin Aupperle, has dedicated his life to the concrete business, apart from his time studying at Chicago Tech School.
Roger served as president of Aupperle Excavating, where, under his leadership, the excavating division became the fastest-growing branch of Wm. Aupperle & Sons. His commitment to quality, innovation, and the family name continued to strengthen the company’s reputation for excellence.
steve aupperle
1950
President 2004-2020
Steve Aupperle, the youngest son of William Aupperle, began working for the company at the age of thirteen, cleaning concrete forms after school and during summer breaks.
He spent his entire career in the concrete industry, with the exception of one year at Illinois Central College, where he studied architecture before being drafted into the U.S. Army. After completing his term of service, Steve returned to I.C.C., earning a degree in Applied Science, and continued his education at Bradley University.
In 1973, he began working full-time for the company and, by 1975, had advanced to crew foreman. In 1980, Steve transitioned to the office, taking on the role of lead estimator and project manager, helping guide the company’s operations and growth for years to come
fourth generation
william ‘bill’ s. aupperle
1981
President 2020 - present
Bill Aupperle, the eldest son of Steve Aupperle, began working at Aupperle’s at the age of thirteen, cleaning concrete forms during the summer months.
After graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Landscape Architecture, Bill joined the company’s office team, focusing on estimating and project management.
As acting president, Bill has led Aupperle’s into a new era — overseeing the move to their modern headquarters and guiding the company into its most exciting generation yet, continuing the legacy of dedication and craftsmanship that has defined the Aupperle name for decades
jacob e. aupperle
1984
Jake Aupperle, the second son of Steve Aupperle, began working at Aupperle’s at the age of thirteen, cleaning concrete forms during the summer months.
After earning a business degree from Arizona State University, Jake joined the Operators Union, where he quickly developed a reputation for skill and precision.
Jake has been a smooth operator on 100% of Aupperle’s projects, carrying forward the family’s proud tradition of craftsmanship, hard work, and excellence in the field..