Erle William Sipe

Erle William Sipe, 83, of Reynoldsdale Road, New Paris, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2022. He was born on January 5, 1939 in Rockwood, a son of the late Karl and Hazel (Ringer) Sipe. On May 7, 1966 in Somerset he married Shirley Ann (Knupp) Sipe and she survives along with two sons:  Duane Sipe of New Paris, and Douglas Sipe and wife Aleece of Annapolis, MD; three grandchildren:  Riley Mae, Lucas Alan, and Alaina Rose Sipe; and one sister Linda Bowman of North Carolina.  He was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Sipe.

Erle was a Private First-Class in the United States Army from 1962-1967 and served in Vietnam for two years from 1962-1964. He was a Purple Heart Award recipient and awarded the Air Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious achievement while serving as a gunner aboard an armed UH-1B helicopter in Vietnam during numerous support missions. He also received a Good Conduct medal for time served and was a decolorated Sharp Shooter.

Erle was a graduate of Somerset High School and he grew up working on the family dairy farm in New Centerville, PA.  After Vietnam he married Shirley and started working for Esso, which later became Exxon, from which he retired in 1995. He had respect and admiration for the PA Turnpike, as he maintained Exxon facilities at rest stops on the interstate from Donegal to Carlisle for 20+ years and finished out his career at multiple Exxon storage terminals. 

After retiring from Exxon, Erle started his new business “Sipe Repairs”. He was nicknamed The Doctor because he knew how to fix almost anything and was “on call” all the time. He loved his family and friends and helping people. He cherished his time with his grandchildren. His hobbies were hunting, car racing, antique and hot rod cars, gardening, and just plain working on something. Erle never was without a project for himself or for family and friends.

Erle was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Bedford for over 50 years. He was on the property committee, and oversaw major transformations, as well as, completed small projects by himself, or with other members. Erle was also a Master Mason, 25-year member of the Bedford Lodge No. 320, member of the Harrisburg Consistory 32nd Degree Scottish Right Mason, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Vietnam Veterans Association, Bedford American Legion, and the Schellsburg VFW. The Sipe family would like to say a special thank you to the UMPC Family Hospice staff, Donna Jezeskie, Jimmy Stout, and his close friend, Don Stutzman for their daily support and special care.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford with Rev. David Weinhold officiating. Burial at Union Cemetery in New Centerville with military honors conducted by the Somerset Honor Guard. Friends will be received on Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford, and on Tuesday on hour prior to the service at the Church.  Those wishing can make memorial donations in Erle’s name to UPMC Family Hospice, 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 16601.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.