Harold L. "Jack" Krepps

Harold Lewis (Jack) Krepps left this earth on November 25, 2020, at home on the farm he loved. He was born on Nov 21, 1925 in McVeytown, PA to Dora Elizabeth (Buchanan) and Rufus William Krepps. Left to cherish his memory are his six children: Gretta K. Wong and husband Steven of Reston, Virginia, Robert L. Krepps and wife Linda of Delmar, DE, Brenda J. Fields and husband Jerry of Salisbury, MD, Gail K. Dickinson and husband Michael Colson of Camden, NC, Susan K. Krepps and husband David Rector of Severn, MD, and Beth K. Snyder and husband Brian of Berwick, PA, along with 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ron Krepps of Austin, PA, and his sisters Marian Woodward of Sequim, WA, Audrey Ranck and husband Gene of Lewistown and Susie Bratton and husband Don of McVeytown and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins. Two sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

He left school early and went to work at the brickyard to help support his family, while still farming with his father. He was drafted into the Army during World War II and remembers the announcement that the war had ended when he was in training camp. He served in the Army of the Occupation in the mountains of Italy in the 88th Infantry. Returning home, he married Esther Jean Bourdess on June 27, 1948, and they set up farming in McVeytown. In 1959, they bought their present farm just outside of Rockhill Furnace. Upon retiring from farming, he was a school bus driver for Southern Huntingdon County Schools and worked as a mail carrier for the Mount Union Post Office. Later in life, he studied and passed the GED to earn his high school diploma, of which he was very proud. Esther predeceased him on June 27, 2018 on the date of their 70th wedding anniversary.

He worked hard at whatever he turned his hand to. He had a strong work ethic and both respected and expected hard work from others. He was a good friend to many and always had a good story to share. He gave of his time and energy wherever it was needed whether that was on mission trips across the country with Brethren Disaster Relief or barn-raisings in Big Valley. He loved hunting and the outdoors and always looked forward to the first day of deer season. He could fix anything and many a grandchild brought broken toys to him with confidence that they would soon be good as new. 

He never threw anything away and loved going to auctions to find good bargains. He never paid anyone to do anything for him that he thought he could do himself, which included splitting 10 cords of wood or so each winter, stocking the outdoor wood furnace, and planting a huge garden. Even into his 90’s, he could outwalk and outwork most people half his age, including his children. Nothing was ever worn out enough to buy a replacement, including his favorite 1947-era Farmall H and Super A tractors. 

His favorite bible verse exemplified his life “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). He was strong until the very end and his influence will live on in those who knew him. A special thank you from the family to his devoted caregivers Tammy Gutshall and Kay Cave.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brethren Disaster Relief Fund (https://www.brethren.org/bdm/) or Family Hospice and Palliative Care (https://www.familyhospicepa.org/).  A private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family.

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