Robert B. Peppler Sr., a retired funeral director and former Allentown councilman, died July 7. He was 87.
According to his obituary, Peppler spent most of his life in Allentown, where he worked in his family’s funeral home and served in municipal and community organizations. He had moved to Meadow Lakes in Hightstown about three months before his death.
Born in Trenton, Peppler graduated from Bordentown Military Institute in 1957. He attended Albright College for three years before deciding in 1960 to enter the family funeral business.
He graduated from the Eckels College of Mortuary Science in 1961 and joined Peppler Funeral Home. He worked with his father, Norman T. Peppler, and his brother Edgar Peppler before Robert and Edgar later operated the business following their father’s retirement.
Peppler retired in 2004.
Peppler Funeral Home traces its history to 1848, when Samuel Fiddler opened a funeral home on Church Street in Allentown, according to a history published on the funeral home’s website.
Norman Peppler joined the business in 1919 and later purchased it. The funeral home moved to 114 S. Main St. in 1939.
Edgar Peppler entered the business in 1958, followed by Robert in 1961. The business was incorporated in 1965. Members of the Peppler family have continued to operate funeral homes in Allentown and Bordentown.
Peppler served on the Allentown Borough Council from 1968 to 1973, according to his obituary.
He was also an overseer and treasurer of the Allentown Methodist Cemetery for 41 years, ending his service in 2006. He served for 15 years on the board of directors of Allentown Savings and Loan, with his tenure ending in 1995.
Peppler was a member of Hope Fire Company from 1963 to 1974 and coached Allentown Little League from 1964 to 1968. He was a longtime member and past president of the Allentown Lions Club and a member of Allentown United Methodist Church. Peppler was a member of the Mercer County Funeral Directors Association and served as its president from 1971 to 1972.
He also served for 18 years on the board of directors of Crosswicks Insurance Co., ending his tenure in 2001. Peppler had been a member of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 28, Free and Accepted Masons, since 1962. He served on the board of trustees of the Friends of the Old Yellow Meeting House from 2015 to 2022.
According to his obituary, Peppler enjoyed gardening and taking care of the yard and his Sears prefabricated home on Main Street.
He also enjoyed golfing and taking family vacations, particularly summer trips to Vermont and the Jersey Shore. He followed the New York Mets and Philadelphia Eagles.
In retirement, Peppler researched his family’s genealogy and spent time organizing and sharing his findings. His obituary said his grandchildren were an important part of his life. Family members also remembered the grilled cheese sandwiches he made for them.
Peppler was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Judith K. Peppler; his parents, Norman Thomas and Elizabeth Clayton Peppler; and his brother, Ronald C. Peppler.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Robert Jr. and Lori Peppler, Karen Peppler, and Brian and Crystal Peppler; his grandchildren, Emma C. Peppler, Thomas “TJ” Peppler, Alexis A. Peppler and Jackson E. Peppler; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Edgar and Jacqueline Peppler and Richard and Patricia Peppler.
He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Ann Coll, Patty and Ed Matthews, John Smith and Mary Coll; his cousins, Donald and Ginny Peppler; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made in Peppler’s name to Allentown United Methodist Church, 23 Church St., Allentown, or the Allentown Public Library, 16 S. Main St., P.O. Box 383, Allentown.
