Kepple

Robert A. “Al” Kepple, 79, of Chicora Road, Butler, a longtime Oakland Township farmer, died at 5:45 a.m. Saturday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice in Butler following a brief illness.

Mr. Kepple was born in Buena Vista, near Chicora June 23, 1931. He was the son of Robert Addison Kepple and Gertrude Dorothy Collier Kepple Lineman.

Mr. Kepple was a social member of the East Butler Fireman's Club.

He enjoyed hunting, listening to country music and watching cowboy movies. Al enjoyed the company of his loyal dog, “Maggie.”

He was a lifelong farmer in Oakland Township and an avid John Deere enthusiast.

He retired from the maintenance department at Castle Rubber in 1993.

He was a member of the St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Kepple was preceded in death, March 2, 2005, by his wife, Marian R. Williams Kepple. The Kepples were married at St. Wendelin Church on June 28, 1952.

He is survived by four children, Robert D. “Bob” Kepple Sr. and his wife, Theresa, Joann M. Green and her husband, Arthur, Sally D. Lehnerd and her husband, David, and Deborah A. Kepple, all of Butler. Two brothers survive: Harold Kepple and his wife, Louise “Toots,” of Chicora and George Lineman and his wife, Louise, of Butler. Eleven grandchildren survive: Robbie and his wife, Kim, Jackie, Shelley, Jeremy, Chris and his wife, Carla, Matt, Lori and her fiance, Chase, Nathan, Heather and her fiance, Eric, Kelly and her husband, Vaughn, and Troy. Sixteen great-grandchildren survive: Ashley, Zack, Justin, Austin, Dustin, Nathan, Tyler, David, Larissa, Levi, Hunter, Lily, Shawn, Eric Jr., Adyson and Zoey. Also surviving are a number of sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Kepple was preceded in death by his stepfather, Charles Lineman.

<B>KEPPLE </B>— Friends of Robert A. “Al” Kepple, who died Saturday, April 30, 2011, will be received at the <B>Hile Funeral Home </B>of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Butler, with the Rev. Steven V. Neff, church pastor, officiating. Interment will take place in the St. Wendelin Church Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Kepple’s name to St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Butler, PA 16002; the VNA Inpatient Hospice 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001; or to the family.For more information or to send a condolence please visit Hilefh.com.