Obituaries
October 14, 2020

Louis J. Keplar – California, Pa.

By obits

 

Louis J. Keplar, 83, of California, Pa., died unexpectedly at home on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. He was born Saturday, Oct. 24, 1936, in Brownsville, son of the late Monroe and Mary Keplar. Lou was a member of the Masonic Lodge and proudly served our country in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Amalgamated Transit No. 1593. Big Lou drove for Hartline Bus Lines in Tampa, Fla., and Suburban Lines in Washington Pa. In addition to his parents, Louis was preceded in death by a sister, Luella Scholl; and a brother, Robert Keplar. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Karen Lashen Keplar; sons, Randy and Jeff Keplar, both of Tampa, Fla.; sisters, Dorothy Hart and Virginia Cummings; and brother, Monroe (Vernie) Keplar. Also surviving are his granddaughter, Annie Keplar; and great-grandsons, Shawn, and Jeremy Dawson. Friends will be received in the MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth St., California, Pa., noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, for a memorial visitation. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Dawn Hargraves officiating. In lieu of flowers please make donations online at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or by mail to Shriners Hospitals, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. To leave condolences please visit mariscottifuneralhome.com.

Head Start building named for Donora legend
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
May 23, 2026
Arthur “Skins” Coleman was a basketball star at Ringgold and guided young people in the community for decades. The Head Start building in Donora’s Highland Terrace area was named Friday evening in hon...
Rotary club honors Parzynski for half a century of service
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
May 23, 2026
He played a significant role in the expansion of the Belle Vernon Area club. For 50 years, Leonard Parzynski has quietly shown up for his community, whether it meant leading Rotary projects, unloading...
Local attorney was killed days before German surrender
Latest News, Main
STORIES BEHIND THE STARS
May 23, 2026
This story is part of Mon Valley Sons of World War II, a series about our sons who lost their lives in service to our country during the war. By JOHN J. TURANIN For the MVI At 4 feet, 11 inches tall a...
Salvation Army thanks community for ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ donations
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
May 23, 2026
The food was collected and dropped off by postal workers from Charleroi and Monessen. The Mon Valley Salvation Army recently received a major food donation through the National Association of Letter C...
Memorial Day services set in the Mon Valley
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
May 23, 2026
By the MVI Memorial Day is a national day of mourning created to honor those in the United States military who died in defense of our country. Traditionally, communities commemorate the day with parad...