David Reed Kruper
Bishopville
David Reed Kruper, 78, of Bishopville and Smithton, Pa., passed away peacefully at his home in Maryland on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Reed, as he was known to his friends and family, was born on July 14, 1946 in Mount Pleasant, Pa., son of the late John H. and Donna M. (Durstine) Kruper, and spent his childhood in Smithton and McKeesport, Pa.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Frances (Miller) Kruper; daughter Amanda Lynn (Kruper) Evans, son-in-law, David Christian Evans; two grandchildren, Olivia Grace and Isaac Reed Evans; two brothers, Bennett Dean Kruper and sister-in-law, Brenda, of Terra Haute, Ind. and Todd Curtis Kruper of Fair Haven, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Reed graduated from South Huntington High School, Ruffsdale, Pa., and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, West Mifflin Pa., and was a United States Air Force veteran, 1964-1968. He was an airplane mechanic, was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., and had a tour in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
By trade, Reed was an electrical contractor and previous owner of Kruper Contracting, Inc. He also worked for Pratt Whitney Aircraft, West Palm Beach, Fla., US Steel, West Mifflin, Pa., GC Murphy Co. and Canova Electric, both in McKeesport, Pa., and retired from Donegal Center, Donegal, Pa., owned by the late Robert Bruno, one of his many mentors.
Spending time with his grandchildren was his favorite thing in the world, whether he was singing in the truck with Olivia on the ride home from school or creating a train village in his garage for Isaac, these moments brought his biggest smiles. He was known around town as a handyman and was known to accept peach pie as payment for his work. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, time at his friend Jack’s cabin and his vacation beer (Corona with a lime) on the beach in Ocean City. In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and gun repair. In both of his homes, his garage was always open for visitors.
Reed followed in his parent’s footsteps by always being involved in his community. He was the mayor of Smithton for two terms, a lifetime member of Lt. Wayne F. Forsythe American Legion, Post 790, where he was the commander for many years, Marion Masonic Lodge #562, and the Smithton Volunteer Fire Department, member of Hope Memorial Lutheran Church, where he served on church council, Sons of the American Revolution Captain John Smoot Chapter, Delmarva Irish American Club, and National Rifle Association.
Family and friends may pay their respects at his Celebration of Life on June 22, 2- 4 p.m., at Mio’s, Selbyville, Del. or at his Memorial at L L Barthels Funeral Home, Smithton, Pa. on June 28 at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Memorial Lutheran Church, PO Box 771 Smithton, Pa. 15479 or Coastal Hospice, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Berlin, Md. 21811.