Robert L. Koppenhaver

Robert L "Whitey" Koppenhaver, age 90, of Hegins, passed away Friday, April 13, 2018 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He was born on Tuesday, July 5, 1927, in Hegins, a son of the late Homer G Koppenhaver and the late Fronie E Shadle Koppenhaver. He was a 1945 graduate of the former HeginsTwp High School. Whitey served in the US Army during the Korean War. Whitey played professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. After entering the US Army he played for the 26th Infantry baseball team, winning the European Championship in 1951. After returning home from the Army he played for the Williamsport Athletics and ended his base ball career in 1954 with the Baltimore Orioles. He was a self employed farmer. He was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins. He was also a member of the St Clair Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame and the Pottsville Chapter of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Whitey was a life member of VFW Post 8237 of Valley View, a former member of the Hegins Fire Company, and a former member of his church council. He was very active as a coach in little league, teener league, Legion, and Tri-Valley High School baseball. His wife, Frances M Bausinger Koppenhaver, passed away in 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents; by two brothers, Guy K Koppenhaver and Clair Koppenhaver; and by a sister, Iva Ney. . He is survived by two sons, James H Koppenhaver and his wife Lori of Halifax and Timothy L Koppenhaver of Hegins; two daughters, Janet L Radel and her husband Ron of Spring Glen and Susan M Klouser of Cocoa, FL; ten grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins, on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Lauren Blatt officiating. A viewing was held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday at the church. Burial was made in Fountain Community Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Friedens Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 375, Hegins, PA 17938. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.

Robert L. Koppenhaver

July 5, 1927 - April 13, 2018