Milford Kephart
Osceola Mills – Milford H. Kephart, 86, born at Coal Run, Osceola Mills passed away at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College, January 4, 2013 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 grand-father.
He came to know the Lord as a result of the life changing mining accident he suffered at the at age of 17. Shortly after, God led him to the love of his life and he married Betty Finney on November 17, 1945. They established their home in Coal Run where they have resided to this day. They were married 67 years.
Throughout his life, Milford 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, 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 grand-daughter, Sharon Chapman.
He is survived by: his wife, Betty Finney Kephart; daughter, Donna Chapman and her husband Irvin of Portage; son Garry Kephart and his wife Pamela of Osceola Mills; daughter, Debra Yarger and her husband Rev. Mark of Elizabethtown; 7 grandchildren Sheila Chapman Stombaugh of Portage, Stacey Kephart Haas of Port Matilda, Rev. Matthew Kephart of Philadelphia, Dr. Eric Kephart of Hollidaysburg, Dr. Curtis Kephart of Marina Del Ray, CA, Chelsea Yarger of Harrington of Ambridge, and Micah Yarger of Ambridge; and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Velma Taylor of Deltona, FL.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at New Castle Community Church, Osceola Mills, with Pastors Mark Yarger, Matthew Kephart and Joseph Phillips officiating.
Friends will be received Monday, January 7, 2012 at Heath Funeral Home, Osceola Mills from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, January 8, 2012 at the church from 10:00 a.m to time of service. Interment will follow at Umbria Cemetery, Osceola Mills.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests 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.