Joseph V. Rzeplinski, 93, of Mahanoy City, Pa., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, at Greenwood Nursing Center, (Hometown) Tamaqua, Pa.

Joe was born in Mahanoy City, Pa., on August 19th, 1931. He was the son of late Mary Daniels and John Rzeplinski. He was a handsome guy even at his late age. To Joe's family and friends he was also best known as Zeppo and sometimes, Homer.

Joe was both a loving and devoted Husband to his Wife, Priscilla (Helen) Rzeplinski for over 71 years who recently pasted in July 2024. Joe was a devoted Catholic and attended local Polish schooling in Mahanoy City where both Joe and Helen met.

After schooling, Joe was drafted in o the U.S. Army for two years starting in November of 1952. He was a Military Policeman stationed in South Korea. While on tour, Joe and Helen finalized their 10 yearlong courtships by getting married in Mahanoy City on April 18th, 1953.

Joe was the last of 11 Brothers and Sisters as follows:

Brothers: Edward (Buckie), John (Jasu), Bernard (Butchie), Steve (Leppie), Francis (Frank), and Stanley (Stash).

Sisters: Josephine Thorton, Stacia (Stella) St Denis, Mary Kieris, and Theresa Zakrewsky and Jennie Rzeplinski.

After Joe came home from the Army in November of 1954, he and his wife eventually bought a house and rose about 50 or more Homer pigeons for both pigeon racing and pigeon shoots. This is where he got his additional nickname, Homer!

Joe worked and drove a small delivery truck for Freidman's Furniture in Mahanoy City for many years. He then worked for the Mahanoy City Borough where he eventually obtained his CDL-B license to drive the town's heavier 10 wheeler sanitation trucks till his retirement.

Both Joe & Priscilla did not have any children of their own but they raise their nephew, Mark Schropp like one of their own. He taught him all he can about life's experiences and how to shoot, hunt and tried in vain to teach him fishing.

As a young lad growing up in the depression era, Joe's Pop taught the boys to wake up early at 5am and head up the mountain south of town to pick huckleberries and mushrooms so the family can later sell them for cash to pay bills. He always knew the best spots to find them.  He would walk as far as Locust Lake before it was a State Park. This was long before Interstate 81 was constructed. The Skytop coal-breaker and the nearby railroad water tower all where still there back then.

All of these early childhood family experiences had given Joe businessman-like social skills in many ways, besides managing pigeon shoot matches, he learned how to repair Venetian window blinds from his previous job and as a hobby he offered that skill to family and friends.

Hunting, especially Deer Hunting, was his main passion. He lived for the season! He was a member of the Locust Valley Fish and Game Club. He hunted mostly in Schuylkill County but earlier in his life he also hunted in Sullivan County. In the 1980's, sometimes his deer hunting family was so large it required two rosters with 15-20 hunters.

Joe was a marksmen and very active in shooting matches. Back then it was both acceptable and common to make bets at pigeon shooting matches and receive trophies. Joe received several trophies back in the 60's and 70's. One was from the White Tail Wild Life Club in 1960. Second Place for shooting.

Fishing was yet another passion Joe loved. He was an exceptional fisherman at that, spending most of his time a Silver Lake, Locust Lake, Whippoorwill Dam, Pumping Station Reservoir and his many trips to Lake Ontario, Canada staying in tent or cabin.

Joe loved to cook! He tried cooking in their kitchen many times but to preserve his wonderful loving marriage, he resorted to cooking in the basement on his "pride and joy", the Coleman Gas Stove! He made Bum Soup, Blennies, Beef Burgers with deer meat and onions and Pierogies!

When it came to TV, Joe loved watching Outdoor Life, wildlife, hunting and fishing programs. He loved old western movies and even war pictures but he soon got restless and needed to be active. He always found things to fix down his basement or walk outdoors to find people to talk to around his home.

Joe was a very social guy. He loved having coffee or a hot dog at restaurants in town just to talk to people. One way to socialize was playing card games and checkers down the old and new West End Fire House.  Poker and Pinochle was some of Joe's most favorite card games.

Joe loved social visits at their home. Joe and his Wife would always offer them Coffee, taste cakes, pies or doughnuts in their kitchen with their favorite colored clay teacups. We are certainly deeply missing this long time tradition with them everyday that passes. Love you both!

Services where private at the convenience of the family.

Honorary Pall Bearers where as follows: Mark Benfer, Rayme Peters Sr., Greg Rzeplinki, Russell Rzeplinki, John Rzeplinski, Francis Kieres, Bob Gagliardi, Andy Benfer, Raymond Peters Jr., Phillip Gorneault. and Albert Peel.