Joanne (Bentz) Hepler

Joanne Hepler, 87, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Friday, April 19th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Schuylkill, E. Norwegian St., Pottsville.

Born on June 15, 1931, she was a daughter of the late John & Florence (Hahner) Bentz.

She was the widow of Sterling "Skeet" Hepler.

Skeet and Joanne loved to travel. For 20 years they drove back and forth to Arizona where they had a home and spent the winters there. Also enjoyed a trip to Germany for the Passion Play with St. John the Baptist Church, a trip to Alaska and a Mexican Cruise.

Joanne was previously employed at the former Good Samaritan Hospital in the medical records department, the office of Dr. Croley and United Cerebral Palsey. She was last employed at Scott Millwork along with her husband and co-owner, until they bother retired.

She was a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville, where she was baptized, went to grade school and married, lifetime member of the former Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary and the St. John's Catholic Women's Union.

She was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1949.

She is survived by a step daughter, Loren Reichert & husband, Bill, Cressona, a step son, Duane Hepler & wife, Nancy, Cressona, two step grandchildren: Jason Hepler & wife, Crystal, Harrisburg, and Melissa Hepler, Baltimore, two step great-grandchildren: Caleb & Caden Hepler, sister Lois Desch and husband Ed, Arizona, brothers John and wife Pat, New Jersey and Robert and wife Donna, Pottsville, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose RCC, Schuylkill Haven, on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at the church from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Interment will immediately follow mass at Cressona Cemetery,Cressona.

Family request donations in Joanne's memory to St. John the Baptist Church Building Fund, 913 Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901.