Fred M. DePoe

Fred M. DePoe, age 93, 423 Dotyville Road, Benton, died at 2:55 p. m. Saturday, Januaary 25, 2014 at the Orangeville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Orangeville, where he was admitted Friday. His death followed a brief illness.

Born in Benton Township, on September 18, 1920, he was a son of the late Frank M. and Bernice V., (Houseweart) DePoe. He was a lifelong resident of Benton Township and graduated from Benton High School in 1939.

Fred was a dairy farmer all of his life and also worked during the winter months as a welder at the former Orangeville Manufacturing Co., Orangeville and also at the former Benton Wood Products plant in Benton.

He was a member of the Benton Christian Church and was attending the Raven Creek Presbyterian Church in recent times.

Fred enjoyed going to the Benton Senior Center and participating in the activities there, especially playing card games. He served as a Benton Township supervisor for 12 years during the late 1960’s. He also was a member of the Berwick VFW Post.

He served with the US Army during World War II in the India-Burma campaign of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater attaining the rank of sergeant.

Fred is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Florence E. Knecht, whom he married on June 21, 1947;  a daughter, Janet L., wife of John David Campbell, Elverson; two sons: Fred M. DePoe, Jr., and his wife Nancy Jo R., and David W. DePoe, and his wife Ann E., all of Benton; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, George W. DePoe, Bloomsburg; and a sister, Lena Tunaitis, Benton.

He was preceded in death by four sisters: Lillian Barnes, May Estock, Grace Young, Ruth Martinez; and by five brothers: Jay R. DePoe, Claude DePoe, Joe E. DePoe, Ray W. DePoe, and Roy S. DePoe; and  two infant siblings.

Funeral services will be held on  Thursday at 11 a. m. in the Raven Creek Presbyterian Church, Upper Raven Creek Road, Benton, with his pastor, Rev. Dr. David Mansfield, of the Benton Christian Church officiating. Interment in the Raven Creek Cemetery, with military honors by the combined VFW group. Friends may call at the Church after 10 a. m. Thursday.