Obituary for Joan Garland Reppert (Smith)
Joan Reppert, 91, passed away on January 9, 2023. She was born in Columbus, Ohio to James and Thelma (Garland) Smith. Her father was a general practitioner and her mother was a teacher.
Joan graduated from Radcliffe College where she met her husband of fifty years, James Reppert. They relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania where she became active in the Womens' Auxiliary at Albright. Together Joan and James opened their home to students and visitors from around the world. After raising six children, Joan entered the workforce as a YMCA volunteer and rose to become Executive Director of the Reading-Berks Human Relations Council, where she served for 16 years. She was a member of Washington Presbyterian Church for 40 years. Her many contributions to the community included founding the annual Gospel Jubilee and the World of Difference program. Joan loved gardening, amateur theatricals, reading, and BBC specials. African American history was important to her.
Joan is survived by five of her six children: Rebecca, James, Matthew, Peter, and Daniel. Her grandchildren are: Monica Fruit, Margo Fruit, Kelley Reppert, Corey Reppert, Lily Woodward, Sierra Reppert, and Camille Reppert. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, and her daughter, Rachel.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave, West Reading, 19611. Friends and family are invited to gather from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
A memorial service is planned at Washington Presbyterian Church in April.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Reppert family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Joan graduated from Radcliffe College where she met her husband of fifty years, James Reppert. They relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania where she became active in the Womens' Auxiliary at Albright. Together Joan and James opened their home to students and visitors from around the world. After raising six children, Joan entered the workforce as a YMCA volunteer and rose to become Executive Director of the Reading-Berks Human Relations Council, where she served for 16 years. She was a member of Washington Presbyterian Church for 40 years. Her many contributions to the community included founding the annual Gospel Jubilee and the World of Difference program. Joan loved gardening, amateur theatricals, reading, and BBC specials. African American history was important to her.
Joan is survived by five of her six children: Rebecca, James, Matthew, Peter, and Daniel. Her grandchildren are: Monica Fruit, Margo Fruit, Kelley Reppert, Corey Reppert, Lily Woodward, Sierra Reppert, and Camille Reppert. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, and her daughter, Rachel.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave, West Reading, 19611. Friends and family are invited to gather from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
A memorial service is planned at Washington Presbyterian Church in April.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Reppert family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.