Carl R. Hepler, “Hep” 86, of Clarion, PA peacefully passed into the loving arms of our Lord on April 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a difficult battle with bladder cancer.
Carl was born on October 10, 1937, to the late Russell C. Hepler and Belma S. Brown in Clarion, PA.
Hep married the love of his life, Janet M. Schrecengost on September 26, 1959, at St. Michael’s Church in Fryburg, Pa.
They celebrated 26 years of marriage until her untimely death on October 26, 1985.
Hep graduated from Clarion Area High School in 1955, and later in life, he attended Clarion State College.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from September 1956 until he was honorably discharged in September 1962.
Following his time of service in the U.S. Navy, Hep started his salesmen career at Source, Inc.
He then went on to work at C and K Coal Company as a Regional Sales Manager where he later retired.
Hep always enjoyed his relationships with the employees whether they worked at the tipple, drove a coal truck, assembled a dragline, or worked in the office, he wanted to make you feel like a part of the team.
He continued many of those friendships even after retiring.
Hep was well known for his talent of restoring antique cars and found great joy in tinkering in his garage, rebuilding, and finding new purpose for anything he could get his hands on, and helping others.
His pride and joy was his 1934 Chevrolet that he restored into a master street rod.
He built the car not only to show, but to run and enjoy.
He acquired many trophies and awards including Best of Show at the Autumn Leaf Festival.
Hep was also an avid golfer, having the good fortune to have had several holes in one.
He enjoyed boating on the Clarion River, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, attending Pittsburgh Steelers games, signing the books, and visiting friends at local clubs with his buddy Joe.
Hep loved life.
He never met a stranger.
He was affectionately known as “the oldest teenager in town”.
Hep was a former member of the Immaculate Conception church, the Knights of Columbus, Pinecrest Country Club, and Clarion Oaks.
He attended the Oakland Church of God in Distant, PA.
He also was a member of the Legion, VFW, Moose, Eagles in Clarion, the Legion and Rod and Gun Club in Knox,
and the Fryburg Sportsman Club.
Hep is survived by his three daughters that he loved dearly: Lana Griffin (Jim) Sarasota, FL, Pamela Hockman (Rob) Clarion, PA, Tamela Swogger (Jimmy) Distant, PA; and five grandchildren: Mistie Haag (Kurt) Boiling Springs, PA, Janet Hockman (Zane) Shippenville, PA, Alexander Swogger, Distant, PA, Logan Griffin (Mel), Schofield Barracks, HI, Gabrielle Griffin, Tallahasshee, FL; and brother-in-law: Leo Schrecengost, Shippenville, PA.
Hep was preceded in death by his brother Russell, and his wife, LeValle, sister Doris, and her husband, Chuck Ward, sister Sally, and her husband, Duane Hartle, and brother-in-law, Richard Schrecengost and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing services will be held at the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood St. Clarion, PA. on April 23, 2024 from 2pm-4p, and 6pm-8pm. 10am-11am on April 24, 2024, followed by the funeral service officiated by his son-in-law, Rev. Jimmy Swogger.
Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
Full Military Honors will be accorded 11:00 AM Wednesday at the funeral home by the Clarion American Legion Post 66.
Friends and family may send online condolences, order flowers and memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.
