Herbert Paul Lepke, Jr. of Avon Park, FL formerly of Neversink, NY, died Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Adventhealth Hospital, Sebring, FL.  He was 87.

The son of the late Herbert Paul and Francis Irene Langabeer Lepke, he was born April 10, 1935 in Ellenville, NY.

Herbert proudly served Our Country in the US Army; he was a member of the First Methodist Church of Ulster Heights and had been a Mason.  He was a retired NY State Forest Ranger; a dedicated volunteer fireman for the Neversink Fire Department; he loved to fish, hunt and trap - driven by his passion for the outdoors.  Woodworking also provided Herb with great satisfaction and joy.  In his younger years, he often lent his carpentry skills to others in need.  In his later years, Karen Ulhrich Hess introduced Herb to carving, winning several ribbons in competitions.  When a tool was not in his hand, you could find him at Sebring Golf Links playing in the scramble.  Herb would present one of his eagle carvings to his fellow golfers who hit a “Hole in One.”

Herb was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.  He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Georgianna Lepke at home; his daughter, Kim L. Czak and her husband John of Springwater, NY; his grandchildren, Joseph Czak of Longmont, CO, and Cayli Czak, of St. Augustine, FL; his brother, Roy W. Lepke of Ulster Heights, Ellenville, NY; several nephews, nieces and cousins; his Goddaughter, Tracy Bullock Magie; his unrelated daughter, Sarah Clark Kitchen; one brother-in-law, David Hadley of NH; and one sister-in-law, Melody Hadley Depuy of FL.

Graveside services and burial with military honors will be Friday, May 27, 2022 at 11 AM in the Ulster Heights Cemetery, Ellenville, NY.

Memorial contributions in Herb’s name may be made to Ulster Heights United Methodist Church, C/O Marilyn Rogerson, 72 Tamarack Rd, Greenfield Park, NY 12435.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com