Obituary Notice: Milford H. Kephart

Milford H. Kephart, 86, born at Coal Run, Osceola Mills, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College, after a lengthy illness of Alzheimer’s.

Born April 12, 1926, he was the son of Doyle and Bervella Kephart. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He came to know the Lord as a result of the life-changing mining accident that he suffered at the age of 17. Shortly after, God led him to the love of his life and he married Betty Finney on Nov. 17, 1945. They established their home in Coal Run, where they have resided to this day. They were married 67 years.

Throughout his life, Mr. Kephart was a leader at church, work and in the community. He served as Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Leader and Sunday School Teacher of the New Castle E.U.B Church, where he was a member for 67 years.

He was co-owner and operator of D&M Kephart Coal Company with his father for 15 years and Superintendent of Associated Drilling for 25 years, where he retired in 1986.

He was active in community affairs as PTA president, Philipsburg-Osceola school board member and Moshannon Coal Mining Institute president, where he was Miner of the Year in 1972.

He and his wife created Coal Run Park Inc. for the enjoyment of the community. After his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed spending the winters in Florida, fishing in Canada, hunting and gardening.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant granddaughter, Sharon Chapman.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Finney Kephart; a daughter, Donna Chapman and her husband, Irvin of Portage; a son, Garry Kephart and his wife, Pamela of Osceola Mills; a daughter, Debra Yarger and her husband, the Rev. Mark of Elizabethtown; seven grandchildren, Sheila Chapman Stombaugh of Portage, Stacey Kephart Haas of Port Matilda, the Rev. Matthew Kephart of Philadelphia, Dr. Eric Kephart of Hollidaysburg, Dr. Curtis Kephart of Marina Del Ray, CA, Chelsea Yarger of Harrington and Micah Yarger of Ambridge; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Velma Taylor of Deltona, FL.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at New Castle Community Church, Osceola Mills, with Pastors Mark Yarger, Matthew Kephart and Joseph Phillips officiating.

Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday at the Heath Funeral Home, Osceola Mills and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow at Umbria Cemetery, Osceola Mills.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: New Castle Community Church, Box 933, Red Schoolhouse Road, Osceola Mills, PA 16666.

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.heathfuneral.com.

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