James N. Kreps

James Nelson “Spooks” Kreps, 79 of Punxsutawney, PA passed away at Clearfield Hospital on Saturday, February 17, 2024. 

He was born January 15, 1945 at Clearfield Hospital to George Orland and Anna Marie (Wolfe) Kreps.  

Jim attended Purchase Line High School.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967 while stationed in Korea.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of SP5.  Jim worked for Fairman Drilling Company his entire career; from Deck Hand to Tool Pusher to Well Tender he worked them all. He retired in 2020 after 60 years. He was a member of the Punxsutawney VFW Post 2076, Punxsutawney Moose Lodge 954, Walston Club and a Lifetime Member of the NRA. Jim battled Alzheimer’s Disease at the end of his life and was cared for at Knickerbocker Villa, Clearfield, PA where he had the best caregivers. 

He is survived by a daughter Jamie Beach and three granddaughters; Arizona Miller, Maiya Beach and Hope Beach, siblings Wilma Wright, NJ, Ruth Coleman Maranda, NC, Joan (Dan) Barr, Punxsutawney, John (Kathy) Gould, Mahaffey and Jay (Lil) Gould, Rossiter and his good friend and favorite aunt, Dorothy Bennett as well as numerous nieces and nephews and his former wife Roxanne.

He was preceded in death by parents Anna (Harry) Gould and George Kreps, maternal grandparents Cecil and Lillie (McClinsey) Wolfe and paternal grandparents Andrew and Melva (Thomas) Kreps, brothers-in-law Donald Wright, Norman Coleman, and Wayne Maranda and a nephew Harry Gould. 

Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, and also on Thursday February 22, 2024 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM with Pastor Doug Wolfe officiating.  Military honors will be provided by The Jefferson County Veteran’s Honor Guard. 

Burial will be in the family plot at Rock Springs Cemetery, Mahaffey PA. 

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice or to the Mt. Carmel Church, 3023 Clover Run Road, Mahaffey, PA 15767.

To share a memory, visit www.mccabewaldronfh.com