Joseph F. Krepley

May 26, 1921 – June 8, 2012

Joseph F. Krepley, 91, of Oakmont, formerly of Lower Burrell, died Friday, June 8, 2012. Born May 26, 1921, in Tarentum, to the late Francis J. and Jessie Page Krepley, he was a 1939 graduate of New Kensington High School. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, and graduated from Grove City College with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering after World War II.

Mr. Krepley was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He served as a bombardier and navigator with the 336 Bombardment Squadron (H), 95th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force from May 1943 to October 1943. The squadron was based in Horham, England. On Oct. 4, while on the 23rd bombing mission the "Yankee Queen" was forced to return to England and crash landed at Earls Colne. Lt. Krepley as well as six other crew members was injured in the crash. Lt. Krepley was awarded, among others the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters. Lt Krepley saw combat over such cities as Paris, Kiel, Hamburg, Cologne, Hanover and Regensburg. Lt. Krepley was also credited with downing a German fighter. He went on to serve during the Korean War in the Air Force and was transferred to the Retired Reserve as a Major in 1966.

He worked as a mechanical engineer for Alcoa in New Kensington and Lafayette, Ind. Later, he accepted a position with the Olin Chemical Company and became vice president and general manager of industrial products of Olin Aluminum. Mr. Krepley was a Master Mason of the Tippecanoe Lodge No 492, Lafayette. Surviving are his wife of 13 years, Evelynn Mae Barker Krepley; four sons, David T. Krepley, of Hartsdale, N.Y., Bruce K. Krepley, of Columbia, Md., Bren C. Krepley, of Tampa, Fla., and Matthew F. Krepley, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and four grandsons, Brayan, Christopher, Jonathan and Michael. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Clara Blanche Wolff Krepley, who died June 17, 1997; and three sisters, Dorothy, Maxine and Betty.A private service will be held in Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lower Burrell. ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD. of New Kensington is in charge of arrangements.

Tribune-Review (Greensburg, PA) - Wednesday, June 13, 2012