Joseph M. Tepsic
September 18, 1923 - February 23, 2009

The Centre Daily Times, 2/25/2009

Joseph M. Tepsic, 85, of Bald Eagle, passed away on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at 8:02 a.m. at his home.

He was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Slovan, a son of the late Marco and Milka (Zordich) Tepsic. On Dec. 10, 1945, in Cumberland, Md., he married Margaret A. Sherry.

Surviving are his wife; five sons, Joe, of Raleigh, N.C., Bruce, of Philipsburg, Austin and wife, Kathleen, of Tyrone, Mark and wife, Vickie, of Tyrone, Mike and wife, Terry, of Tyrone; a daughter, Arlene Parkhill and husband, Bruce, of State College and Naples, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Dr. Nick M., of O'Brien, Fla. He was preceded in death by a grandson, David; three brothers and four sisters.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was wounded in Guadal Canal during World War II. Following his military service he attended Penn State University, where he was an outstanding athlete in both football and baseball. There he met and married his wife, Margaret A. Sherry.

Having been offered contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Brooklyn Dodgers, Joe left Penn State to play baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Following his baseball career, he worked in the logging industry and as a state highway inspector. He then opened The Village Dairy in the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center, Altoona.

He was a member of the Bald Eagle Sportsman's Club and the Sinking Valley Country Club where he was club champion and winner of the President's Cup in 1973.

He had a passion for golf, and enjoyed hunting and marksmanship. He also enjoyed billiards at the Tyrone Elks and bowling as a league member at West End Lanes, Tyrone.

Joe will be remembered as a strong competitor and faithful husband. Memorial services will be held Monday, March 2, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Bald Eagle Alliance Church, with the Rev. Davis Z. Lewis officiating.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

Arrangements are under the direction of Feller Memorial Home.