Howard Kepple

Howard Richard Kepple Jr., 67, of Oakland, MD, died November 11, 2012, after a fight with cancer. He was born June 9, 1945 in Greensburg, PA., the son of the late Howard R. Kepple and Ada G. (Hoyman) Kepple. He grew up in New Alexandria, PA on the family dairy farm. He graduated from Greensburg Salem High School in 1965. On July 24, 1965, he married his wife of forty- seven years, Bernice Ann Walters, who lived on a neighboring farm. They had known each other since he was six. Howard was a farmer and also worked for Beckwith Machinery Company as a heavy equipment mechanic for twenty years. Most recently, he was the owner of Appalachian Iron and made ornament gates, fencing, railing, and custom items for homes. His creations sold locally and all over the country. Howard and Bernice were the founding leaders of the Country Kids 4-H Club and were active coaches and supporters of the Southern Garrett FFA. He was a devoted husband and father who supported his children in their many hobbies and proudly attended their graduations and other achievements. His personal hobbies included stock car racing in his twenties, acting as crew chief for his son Mike's stock car racing twenty years later; and finally as a Harley Davidson Motorcycle rider in his later years. He is survived by his daughter Cristine A. Kepple and her husband Richard A. Hall of Oakland; son Timothy H. Kepple of Lander, Wyoming; son Michael C. Kepple and wife Janet L. McCrobie Kepple ; grandsons Cole and Kyle Kepple; mother Ada G. Kepple of Oakland, Maryland; brother Harold "Bud" Kepple and wife Cindy of New Alexandria, PA and brother Gary Kepple and wife Beverly of Youngwood, PA. He is also survived by his wife of five months, Donna Danley, and her children, Justin Childers, Stephanie Hauser and Elizabeth Bourne, their spouses and children. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice, who died on August 8, 2010. Friends will be received at the Deep Creek Baptist Church on Thursday, November 15 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at which time a funeral service will follow with Pastor Ben Lahay officiating. A private interment will be in the Kepple Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National MS Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163, or the Mary Babb Randolf Cancer Center, P.O. 8110, Morgantown, WV 26506. Burdock-Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2nd St, Oakland, MD is in charge of the arrangements. www.burdockfredlockfh.com

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