LEPERA, Carl A. passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at his home. Carl was born on December 19, 1930, the son of Frank and Theresa (Spadafora) Lepera. Carl was the youngest child of his Italian immigrant parents. He attended Hamilton City Schools and was a graduate of Hamilton Catholic High School. Carl lived most all his life in Hamilton with his wife, Barbara. Carl retired from General Motors/Fisher Body after 33 ½ years of service. Carl and Barb lived for several years in Duluth, Georgia where Barbara passed away in 2009. Carl returned to Hamilton where he resided with his daughter, Terri Lepera Ziepfel. Carl was very proud of his Italian heritage. His son, Michael, took Carl and daughter, Terri, to Italy to research their family. Carl was able to visit the birth place of his mother and father in Sersale, Italy. Carl met other family while in Sersale. It was the trip of a lifetime and he so much enjoyed the sites, food, and especially the Vatican. Carl loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He especially loved to watch his great-grandson, Tyler, play baseball. He loved them all dearly and they dearly loved him back. Carl had a very special relationship with his great-grandson, Evan. He so much enjoyed all their company and loved it when they spent the night. Carl was a former member of the Italian American Society, The Butler County Sportsman Club, and was a Tennessee Squire. Carl was a member of St. Julie Billiart Church. He enjoyed many activities in life such as traveling, going to the beach, shooting at the gun range, boating, photography, and watching his great-grandchildren play sports.

Carl leaves behind his son, Michael (Nancy) Lepera of Duluth, Georgia; daughter, Terri Lepera Ziepfel of Hamilton; granddaughters, Shawna (Scott) Hoover of Hamilton, Jodi (Rocky) Ball of West Chester, and Taylor Lepera of Suwanee, Georgia; grandson, Stefan Lepera of Norcross, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Alivia, and Evan Hoover of Hamilton; Zoey and Alexander Ball of West Chester; many nieces and nephews. Carl also leaves behind his dear beloved dog, Daisy, they were inseparable. Carl took her with him practically everywhere he went. They were best buds and Daisy will miss him terribly.

Besides his wife, Barbara, he was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Tom and Robert; four sisters, Rosa, Louise, Mary, and Carmella.

The Family would like to thank Shawna Hoover and Family, Jodi Ball and Family, and Mike Lease for all their help in caring for Carl and helping out with anything that needed to be done. A very special thanks to Shawna Hoover for her devoted efforts in helping with his care. Shawna went above and beyond what any granddaughter would or could have done. The family would also like to thank Nancy Neeley, of Cura Care Corp, for her kind and compassionate care for Carl, and also Hospice of Cincinnati. Carl was a kind, caring, and compassionate, unselfish man and will be greatly missed by his entire family.

Friends are invited to attend a Catholic Funeral Liturgy at 2:00PM Monday at St. Julie Billiart Church, 224 Dayton street with Fr. Michael U. Pucke officiating. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-2:00PM Monday in the narthex of church. Zettler Funeral Home is serving the family. Online register book is available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com