David Edward Kepple

David Edward Kepple, 87, a lifelong Chicora resident, passed into everlasting life Tuesday evening, February 22, 2022 in the ICU at Butler Memorial Hospital with his beloved wife, Shirley, by his side.

David was born in Chicora on October 15, 1934.  He was the son of the late Edward Kepple and Mary McCollough Kepple Wolford.

David was loved by all who knew him, and he was especially loved by his family. He resided in Chicora his entire life. He was a 1952 graduate of Chicora High School. David is survived by the love of his life, Shirley Schidemantle Kepple, whom he married at St. Paul German Lutheran Church in Chicora on June 2, 1956. Together they raised five children and made their home in Chicora. He also worked at Armco for 30 years and retired in 1995.

David was truly an angel on Earth. He was best known for his kind and gentle demeanor. Dave always had something kind or encouraging to say, never spoke unkind or harsh words, and he always supported and loved his family. He adored his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with a love beyond measure. David loved music, especially church hymns. You would often hear his beautiful tenor voice singing hymns, folk songs, and humming or whistling to his favorite bluegrass tunes. He also enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their many sporting events and performances. David loved nature and animals, and he also loved cooking and baking. David was an avid and extraordinarily talented woodworker. He prided himself in making exceptional and heartfelt pieces of hand designed furniture for his cherished family.

David is survived by his adoring wife Shirley of more than 65 years, as well as his five children Debbie Bossinger and her fiancé, Brian Laughlin, Ed Kepple and his wife, Lisa, Bill Kepple and his wife, Charlene, Amy Bly and her husband, Jeff, and Joe Kepple and his wife, Melinda, all of Chicora. He is also survived by his grandchildren Hannah Bossinger, Kellie Johnston, Katie Callihan and her husband, Tyler, Ashley Ciafre and her husband, Derec, Laura Blazejewski and her husband, Brian, Wesley Kepple, Tara Hackwelder and her husband, Jason, Holly Wilson and her husband, Jake, Emily Rekich and her husband, Ryan, Becca Bly, and Allyson Kepple, Zach Kepple, Tyler Kepple, and Noah Kepple. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Cole, Jaxen, Mya, Jade, Trey, Mila, Finley, Mateo, Celtan, Josie, Aubrie, and Mason; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; his brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Paul and Nancy Bard of Strattanville and Pete and Michelle Schidemantle of Butler.

Dave is now eternally reunited in heaven with his parents, Edward Kepple and Mary McCollough Kepple Wolford; his sisters and brothers-in-law Esther and Oscar Moore, Arlene and Jay Waltman; two nephews, Russell Waltman and David Moore, as well as his beloved great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Hackwelder.

Friends and Family of David Kepple will be received at Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday and on Friday from 10-11 a.m. in The Good Shephard Room at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2217 Chicora Rd. Chicora, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Boomhower, church pastor, officiating.  Interment will be in Hillview Cemetery, The Village of Kepple’s Corners.  The family humbly requests that donations be made in the memory of his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, to the ZTTK SON Shine Foundation at www.zttksonshinefoundation.org. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

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