Franklin W. Hepler

Franklin William Hepler, age 94, of Pitman, passed away October 22, 2025 at Geisinger Shamokin Hospital, Shamokin, PA. He was born in Pitman, the youngest child of William Franklin and Sarah (Snyder) Hepler. Known to many as "Bushty", he was a graduate of Hegins Township High School, Class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Sr Air Traffic Controller, as a Radar Repairman. Following the service, Franklin was an engineer for Bell Telephone, later known as ATand;T. He lived in Wayne, Pa and then Oakton, VA during his working career, retiring in 1991. He moved back to Pitman after retiring from ATandT. Franklin had many hobbies during retirement: gardening, specializing in producing large tomatoes and giant dahlias which he shared with friends and neighbors, mowing his large lawn, hunting, smoking his pipe, taking long naps while watching anything that was on any of the sports channels. Franklin enjoyed hunting for small game, turkey, deer, and bear as well as participating in several big game hunts, with many mounted species on display in his home. For the past several years, Franklin looked forward to a weekly Thursday outing to the Hamburg area for "shrimp" and Chinese Buffet with a loyal friend Ron "Chico" Masser. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, the Mahantongo Fire Company and the Hepler Reunion Association. For the past several years Franklin was recognized as the Oldest Attending Male at the annual Hepler Reunion. He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve Kasprzak in 2005; brothers Jesse, Irvin, Raymond and Peter; sisters Martha Stehr and Betty Finney. He is survived by a stepdaughter Susan Danielwicz, of Oakton, Virginia, sister Ruth Brock, of South Carolina and 14 Hepler nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Zion EC Church on Friday, October 31. Viewing will begin at 10 am with service at 11am, with Pastor Todd Wolfe officiating. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Pitman. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hepler Reunion Association or the Mahantongo Valley Ambulance Association. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, PA is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.

Franklin W. Hepler

March 29, 1931 - October 22, 2025