Danville - Melvin Dale Lepley, 88, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at the Ohio Eastern Star Home in Mount Vernon with his wife of almost 63 years at his side.
He was born April 3, 1920 in Holmes Co. to Willard Mort and Celia (Bowls) Lepley. He married Irene (Kidwell) Lepley on Feb. 12, 1946. One of his first jobs was driving a team of work horses for the Shults family of Greer. He bought his first car from the money he earned at this job. He then started driving truck for the Banbury Wool Company of Danville, traveling at times to Massachusetts, where he would spend the night in the back of the wool truck if they did not have enough money for a hotel room. Most of his life was spent driving truck, working for Union Twp., and driving a school bus. He was also a "caller" for square dance bands for many years at Martinsburg Community Center and many other places.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons; Melvin Daniel (Cindy) Lepley of Bladensburg, Ronald D. Lepley of Apple Valley, and Gary (Lesley) Lepley of Danville, four daughters; Karen Martin, Carolyn Addair, and Susan (Don) Jones, all of Danville, and Diane Lepley of Millwood, 15 grandchildren; Melissa Jaimes, Mark Lepley, Renee Lepley Berman, Shelly Gallion Mason, Samantha Lepley, Chris (Shelly) Lepley, Angie Lepley (Chad Long), Kayla Lepley, Julie Addair (David) Levy, Ashlee Addair, MM3 Lance M. Addair- U.S. Navy, Stephanie Lepley (Doug) Moore, Stacy Jones, Brittany Lepley, and Kelly Lepley, sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, a brother, Cecil (Pat) Lepley of Zanesville, a sister-in-law, Margaret Lepley, sister and brother-in-laws, Marge and Fred Kidwell, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Joann Lepley Dininger, step mother, Ellie Dial Lepley, brother and sister-in-laws, Ernie and Ruth Kidwell, a niece, Cathy Jane Dininger, a brother, William Sanford Lepley, a nephew, David A. Lepley, a niece, Kim Lepley Carr, and a grandson, Brent Addair. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville, with a graveside service to follow at Workman Cemetery with Evangelist Matt McManaway officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District (Danville Fire and E.M.S.) P.O. Box 526, Danville, OH 43014.
