Ralph M. Kepner, 89, formerly of Port Royal, passed away at 10:50 AM on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the Bridges at Brookline, Mifflintown.
Born on April 3, 1933 in Port Royal, Juniata County, he was a son of the late Alton and Rhoda (McCahan) Kepner.
He is survived by: his wife, Gladys M. (Roe) Kepner; three stepchildren, Sheri Landis and her husband Jim of McAlisterville, Scott Arnold and his wife Jessica, and Fred Arnold and his wife Toni all of Richfield; one son in law, Ed Beaston of Blain; one granddaughter, Beth Beaston; seven step grandchildren, Erin Byler and her husband Jared, Evan Landis and his wife Tess, Cassey Hicks and her husband Brett, Blake Armes and his wife Ravyn, Destiny Arnold, Jayce Arnold, and Cooper Arnold; one step great grandchild, Cameron Landis; and one brother, Earl Kepner of Lewistown.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy (Colyer) Kepner on November 18, 1995, and one daughter, Deborah J. Beaston on November 7, 2020.
Mr. Kepner was a 1951 graduate of Tuscarora Valley High School in Port Royal.
Earlier in life, Ralph worked as a milk tester at various local farms; then, was employed as a welder for Standard Steel in Burnham; next, he proudly began his business, Kepner Welding and Fabrication and was a co-owner, along with his wife and stepson, of Stillhouse Storage in Port Royal.
His memberships included the First Baptist Church of Juniata County in Mifflintown, and various historical antique car clubs.
He enjoyed hunting, restoring old cars, going to car shows, and anything to do with classic and antique cars.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM on Monday, October 10, 2022 at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown with Pastor Bob Landis officiating. Interment will follow in New Church Hill Cemetery, Port Royal.
A viewing will be held from 1:30 PM until the time of the funeral services at 2:30 PM on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Kepner’s memory may be made to the Juniata County Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 251, Mifflintown, PA 17059.
Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/2/11 - Image Year: 1992
Ralph and Dorothy (Colyer) Kepner in photo taken at the Port Royal Lutheran Church in 1992
Contributed by mkinney on 9/7/10 - Image Year: 1937
COUSINS PLAYING IN THE FAIRGROUNDS: (from left) Earl Kepner, Ralph Kepner, Charles McCahan, Mary McCahan, Penn Shelley, Joy McCahan, Keith McCahan, Laentena Shelley
Contributed by ray on 5/3/16 - Image Year: 1951
Photo of Ralph from the 1951 Tuscarora Valley High School Yearbook.
Contributed by ray on 5/3/16 - Image Year: 1951
TVHS 1951 SENIOR CLASS: (Front Row)(l-r) Jane Kirkwood, Romaine Bardell, Anna Brackbill, Park Gerhart (teacher), Cora Naylor, Roma Deen, Jessie Swartz; (Middle Row)(l-r) Bill Seacrist, Joyce Milliken, Richard Eaton, Betty Bookwalter, Eugene Longacre; (Top Row)(l-r) David Weishaupt, Paul Armstrong, John Leister, Arthur Aumiller, Ralph Ditmer, Ralph Kepner
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/13/17 - Image Year: 1948
TVHS CLASS OF 1951 IN FRESHMAN YEAR (48): (Front Row) (l-r): Bill Seacrist, Art Aumiller, Lane Swartz; (2nd Row): June Welshonse, Mildred Walters, Dolores Benner, Roma Deen, Cora Naylor, Romaine Bardell, Anna Brackbill; (3rd Row) Jeanne Kennedy, Patsy Lauver, Joyce Milliken, Peggy Seiber, Betty Bookwalter, Jane Kirkwood, Jessie Swartz; (Back Row): David Wisehaupt, John Leister, Ralph Kepner, Ralph Ditmer, Eugene Longacre, Paul Armstrong, Mr. Parsons (Teacher), Richard Eaton
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/16/14 - Image Year: 2012
Ralph Kepner receives an award for his 1977 Buick Riviera at an auto show sponsored by "Free Spirit" Chapter of PA Chapter of the Buick Club of America. The event was held August 3 - 5, 2012.
