Philip W. Eppley Sr.

YORK Philip W. Eppley, Sr., 86 years old, passed away peacefully at 4:05 p.m. on June 20, 2008, at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home. He was the loving husband of Shirley (Stull) Eppley, of York, to whom he was married since June 26, 1992, and husband of the late Susanne B. (Miller) Eppley. He was born in York, on September 23, 1921, the son of the late Walter S. and Virginia (Bowers) Eppley. He graduated from William Penn High School in York in 1941, where he ran the high hurdles in track, and his record time stood for a long time. Following high school, he joined the Air Force and was a fighter pilot for the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force. He flew over 100 missions in China during World War II. Mr. Eppley flew P-40's. P41's, and P-51's. He was discharged from the service Nov. 2, 1943, with a rank of First Lieutenant. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross and was a proud United States Air Force veteran. The veterans of the U.S. Air Force Flying Tigers and the U.S. Army engineers and infantry were recognized by the Chinese people in helping to free China from Japanese invaders in the ChinaBurma-India conflict. Following his time in the armed services, he graduated from the Penn State University in 1949. He then worked at the Middletown Air Depot repairing instruments in airplanes for several years and then worked for York Stone and Supply. In 1959, he became active in real estate starting in York, and later established his own company, Eppley Real Estate. He was President of the York Board of Realtors in 1969, and a member of the National Institute of Real Estate Brokers. He became certified as a Real Estate Broker and Appraiser in March 1997, and was quite active with doing appraisals in the York area until his retirement in 2005. He received a 50 years of membership plaque of faithful service to Christ and the Otterbein United Methodist Church in 2002. He also received the Outstanding Service Award in recognition of outstanding service by the Dallastown/Red Lion Area Optimist Club for his service from 1955 to 2000. Mr. Eppley received the award for the oldest member of Optimists in 2006 and received a special plaque from the Optimist Club for continuous service from August 1, 1955 to January 2005, as a Fellow Optimist who is "A Great American." He was a former member of the Red Lion Country Club and The Country Club of York and a member of the Red Lion Masonic Lodge 649. He was an avid golfer who had a hole-in-one at the Red Lion Country Club on hole 4 on May 1, 1993. Many local people might remember his picture in the York newspapers in 1974 showing a resemblance to Gerald Ford, when he was President of the United States in the 1970's. Mr. Eppley was the spitting image of former President Gerald Ford. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Dr. Philip W. Eppley, II and his wife, Sophie of York; three grandchildren, Valerie S. Kauffman and her husband, Jeffrey of York, Steven M. Eppley of Philadelphia, and Gregory P. Eppley of Baltimore, Md.; and three great grandchildren, Zachary, Ryan and Nathaniel Kauffman. In addition, he has two stepsons, Daryl Stull, II and Joedy Stull and companion, Ruth Pabst, all of York; two stepgrandchildren, Brynn Stull and Heather Bloom and her husband, Steven of York; and two step greatgrandchildren, Kali and Wyatt. He is also survived by two sisters, Connie Maitland of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carol Minton and her husband Lee, of Sparta, N.J. A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Etzweiler Funeral Home, 1111 E. Market St. York, with his pastor, the Rev. Norman "Skip" Spangler, officiating. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens, with graveside military rites to be conducted by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association South Central PA Chapter, 3544 N. Progress Ave. Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110. www.etzweiler.com