James Keppley

James Paul Keppley, 73, of Stouchsburg, passed away surrounded by the love of his family in the evening hours Wednesday, July 8, 2015, of natural causes in his residence.

He was the husband of Maryanne (née Dombroski) Keppley, having celebrated 42 years of marriage on February 10th. The love they had for each other was a treasure for all to see.

Born November 5, 1941, in West Reading, he was a son of the late Lawrence P. and Debora P. (née Oxenreiter) Keppley.

A 1959 graduate of Conrad Weiser High School, Jim was a well-known and well-loved race car driver at many dirt tracks, including the Reading Fairgrounds and Penn National Raceway.

He was known as "Mr. Consistency." His career accomplishments include: 8th All-time Feature Wins with 17 wins; Career Leader in 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths; 5th in Career top 5s with 185; 2nd in career top 10s with 317; 2nd in career heat wins with 90. Special Achievements: 1971 Penn National Speedway Point Champion, 1968 Rookie Of The Year (Reading Fairgrounds), 1970 Jackie Evans Memorial race winner, 1973 Inde 50 race winner, and a Checkered Flag Fan Club Toby Tobias Award Winner in 2014.

He was also very proud of his award he received in 1970 for "Outstanding and Unselfish Actions on the Raceway for Helping to Save a Fellow Drivers Life," after he pulled a fellow driver from a burning car. That's the kind of person he was.

Fellow drivers used Jim as a measuring rod; they would say, "if you could beat Keppley consistently you could excel."

He was always recommended for his engine work and spotless machinery. Jim's presentation of himself and his equipment went hand in hand with his results: neat, prepared and steady.

After retiring from racing, he worked as a manager for Tobias Speed Equipment, Lebanon, until his retirement.

He was a member of: Zion UCC, Womelsdorf, the South Mountain Rod & Kustom, the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and the Marion Rod & Gun Club.

Jim loved many things: his cabin in Tioga County, street rods, puttering around his garage, keeping an impeccably mowed lawn and spending time with his many friends.

But most of all, he loved his family, including his 4 grandchildren, which were his life. He loved being "Pop."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Jennifer P., wife of Nicholas Oliviero, Newmanstown; and Jacquelyn P., wife of John Willman, Womelsdorf; his grandchildren: Cody Willman, Jenna Oliviero, Cameron Willman and Haley Oliviero; and by his siblings, Kenneth L. Keppley, husband of Dorcas, Stouchsburg, and Cynthia MacFetrich, Oley.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Gromis.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at 11 a.m. from Zion United Church of Christ, 12 S. 2nd St., Womelsdorf, PA 19567. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran & Reformed Cemetery, Womelsdorf. Friends may call Tuesday, from 6-8 p.m. at the Mull Funeral Home, 27 E. High St., Womelsdorf and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, P.O. Box 427, Temple, PA 19560, or the Animal Rescue League of Berks County.

To express online condolences, please visit www.mullfh.com.