Robert N. Nipple

MIFFLINBURG -- Robert N. Nipple, 63, of 102 Crescent Drive, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly early Friday morning, Nov. 23, 2007, at his home.
He was born May 17, 1944, in Perry Township, Snyder County, a son of Orpha G. (Snyder) Nipple of Mount Pleasant Mills and the late Raymond W. Nipple.
Bob was a 1962 graduate of Middleburg High School.
He began his career in the housing industry as a line worker at Hollywood Homes, following he became the plant manager at Hauser Homes, Middleburg, and continued his career as plant manager at Poloron Homes, Middleburg.
Then in 1981, he became one of the founders of Penn Lyon Homes in Selinsgrove. In 1985, he co-founded Excel Homes in Mifflintown and currently owned and operated Apex Homes, Middleburg, which has existed since 1990.
Bob had the talent and ability to design, draw, and build homes from beginning to end. His leadership inspired others, both professionally and personally. He was a mentor to many of those around him.
He loved farming and raising Black Angus cattle, crafting, fishing, and hunting. He took great joy in supporting 4-H members by purchasing livestock at The Beaver Fair.
He was co-founder of Kelsey's Dream Foundation, a charitable organization, created in memory of Bob's stepgranddaughter, Kelsey L. Kuhns, to benefit children in need.
He was a member of Saint Paul's Leininger's Lutheran Church, Mount Pleasant Mills where he served as a Sunday school teacher in both the children and adult classes and also on the church council.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, is his spouse Darla E. (Keister) Knause; one daughter, Teresa D. Nipple and her husband Dale E. Engle of Liverpool; three sons, Chriss R. and his wife Patricia A. Nipple of Mount Pleasant Mills, Lorne R. and his wife Leslie L. Nipple of Freeburg, and Shannon K. Nipple and his companion Leanna A. Drumm of Middleburg; two stepdaughters, Tina S. and her husband H. Lynn Kuhns and Amie E. and her husband Michael E. Miller, all of Mifflinburg; three grandchildren, Kyle L. Nipple of Mount Pleasant Mills, and Joshua A., and Jordan C. Engle both of Liverpool; two stepgrandchildren, Kylie L. Kuhns and Lyndon E. Miller, both of Mifflinburg; the mother of his children, Donna L. Nipple of Liverpool; two sisters, Anna Mary and her husband Harold S. Meiser of Mount Pleasant Mills and Connie R. and her husband Donald J. Harnum of Selinsgrove; two brothers, Ronald H. and his wife Connie I. Nipple and Ralph R. and his wife Shirley M. Nipple, all of Liverpool; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He and Darla enjoyed designing and making wooden crafts. They also enjoyed gardening and spending time at their home and with their families.
He had a big heart and was a generous and wonderful man who loved his children and his family.
He was preceded in death, in addition to his father, the late Raymond W. Nipple, by one stepgranddaughter, Kelsey L. Kuhns, and his grandmother, Anna L. (Goodling) Snyder who lived with his family while Bob was growing up.
Visitors may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hummel Funeral Home, 574 Hill Street, Middleburg, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Saint Paul's Leininger's Lutheran Church, Leininger's Run Road, Mount Pleasant Mills, where the funeral will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Patrick L. Sipes officiating.
Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
Contributions in Bob's memory may be made to Kelsey's Dream Foundation, c/o of The Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company, 250 East Chestnut Street, Mifflinburg, PA 17844.