Obituaries

Frederick A. Heppler, age 83, of Jefferson Twp., passed away Sunday evening at St. Mary’s Villa Nursing Home in Elmhurst Twp. He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty (Pasko) Heppler. Wed on November 29, 1958, the couple celebrated 62 years of marriage.
A Scranton native, born on September 25, 1936, Fred was the son of the late Richard, Sr. and Lucille (Lenihan) Heppler. He was a graduate of the former Scranton Technical High School before attending Broome County Community College in Binghamton, N.Y. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army after six years of service in the Army Reserves.
Fred proudly worked as a Quality Control Engineer for Grumman for 35 years. His proudest achievement was his work on the Apollo 11 Lunar Module which famously landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon.
Fred had many passions, including spending time with his grandchildren, playing chess, reading about science and technology, and growing delicious vegetables.
Fred was a life-long learner, in his mid-70’s he learned how to use email, Facebook and Goggle. Of Roman Catholic faith, he was a member of St. Eulalia’s Church in Moscow.
He is survived by four loving daughters, Mary Ellen Folsom and husband David of Hampton, N.J., Diane Harrison and husband Daniel of Manorville, N.Y., Linda Armendariz, and husband Rey of Westminster, CO and Betty Ann Heppler of Golden, CO.
He is also survived by six siblings, Margaret Wood of Gaithersburg, MD, Lucille O’Boyle of Goldsboro, N.C,., Elizabeth Clayton of Port St. Lucie, FL, Jane Kalafut and husband John of Scranton, Dorothy Lewis and husband Doug of Smyrna, DE, and Mary Barrett and husband Bill of Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh.; eight grandchildren, Kelly, Morgan, Jesse, Lauren, Luke, Devan-Rae, David, and Sam; one great grandchild, Rowan Gonnelly; and 29 nieces and nephews.
A son-in-law, Doug Pensinger; and his brothers, Paul, Richard, and George Heppler, also preceded him in death.
A funeral Mass at St. Eulalia’s Church, 214 Blue Shutters Road in Roaring Brook Twp., will be celebrated on Saturday, August 8th, at 10:00AM, by Rev. Jeffrey Tudgay, Pastor. Family and friends may pay their respects from 9:00AM until Mass. Arrangements are under the care of the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., Old Forge and West Scranton.