Peter Keppley

Peter Thomas Keppley of Womelsdorf, PA, crossed the rainbow bridge to meet his Maker at the age of 77 on January 11, 2025, at Reading Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Annette (Goulet) Keppley, with whom he shared 45 years. Born in Reading to the late Sterling T. Keppley and Betty (Schaum) Keppley, Peter was a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School and earned his BA in History from Muhlenberg College. After years of employment with Caldor, McCrory’s, and others in Retail Management, he settled with Annette in Brick, NJ, and opened his own store, Pete’s Pets. He also served on the School Board of St. Thomas Lutheran School. Before retiring, he worked as an in-store representative for Blue Buffalo. 

During his life, Peter lived in Womelsdorf, PA, Connecticut, and New Jersey. While living in NJ, Peter was a pigeon fancier and breeder, as well as an officer in the Bayshore Variety Pigeon Club. After returning to Womelsdorf later in life, he switched to raising and showing Siberian Huskies and joined the Siberian Husky Club of America, with one of his dogs, GCH Bralin’s Show Me The Way (Jasper), achieving a Grand Champion title. Peter was not a great man; he was something better—a good man. He was gentle and honorable, loved God and family, and even his hobbies (pigeons and dogs) were oriented toward caring for others.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Darren [Kate] of Womelsdorf, PA; daughters Claire Wanamaker [Doug] of Schwenksville, PA, and Jill Zayas-Bazan [Alison] of St. Augustine, FL; granddaughter Elizabeth Wanamaker Ginder [Christian]; brothers- and sister-in-law David Goulet [Kathleen] of Watertown, CT, Charles Goulet [Lorraine] of Mechanicsville, PA, and Diane Goulet of Mechanicsville, VA; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Services are private, but a Celebration of Life will be held in the spring according to Peter’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the leukemia or diabetes research organization of your choice. Please contact CelebratePeterKeppley@gmail.com to receive updates.

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