Louis Victor Zoppel, Jr. of Furlong, Pennsylvania went home to Heaven on April 8, 2023. He was 87 and the husband of the late Ardath Leona (Dale) Zoppel.
Born in Camden New Jersey, Louis was the son of the late Louis Zoppel, Sr. and Ruth (Andrews) Zoppel.
He was employed by the 3M Company of St. Paul MN, in telecommunications. He was also employed with HUB Fabricating/Gibraltar Technologies of Reading PA.
He had a lifelong love of trains and owned a large collection of the Standard Gauge models. He and his wife spent many happy vacations in Center Harbor, New Hampshire on Lake Kanasatka with his daughters and lifelong friends. They would hop on a steam train and wind through beautiful New England forests. He was also a consummate sailor and spent many hours crisscrossing the lakes with full sails! He was also an avid antique collector along with his wife, enjoying hours at auctions waiting for that perfect treasure.
Lou was an entrepreneur at heart, constantly exploring new ideas and ventures for himself, family and friends. He and Ardath, during their marriage, owned “The Stone Jug” Antique store (Atco NJ), Blueberry Barn Country Store (Marlton NJ) and Country Francais (Lahaska PA).
Always close to his heart, was his father’s beloved “Lion Tamers Club” in Atco NJ, and the “Man Talk Men’s Bible Study” which Lou started at Doylestown Presbyterian Church and Camp Kirkwood, where he headed up a yearly volunteer camp restoration crew, including the restoration of the “fabled caboose”.
Lou is survived by his two daughters: Andrea (Mark) Olson and Kimberly (Don) Tillotson; two grandchildren Sawyer (Holly) Tillotson and Brady Tillotson, one great-grandson Roderick Tillotson, his sister Susan (Jim) Martin as well as several nieces and nephews.
Lou dearly loved – his Jesus, his family, his trains and his New Hampshire… and coffee and donuts with his friends.
A gathering for family and friends, celebrating Lou’s life, will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., May 20, 2023 in the café of Living Hope Community Church, 22H West Route 313, Perkasie.
Deeply grateful we will always be to Lou’s “Ottsville angels” and to all the caregivers who touched his life and ours throughout these years… thank you forever from the bottom of our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for Lou to be remembered to Living Hope Community Church, PO Box 394, Dublin, Pa 18917 or The Conway Scenic Railroad, P.O. Box 1947, North Conway NH 03860.