Mr. Joseph "Rip" Repetske, 94, of Oxford, passed away, Nov. 27. He was co-owner of Cowan and Cowan Electric Co. until his retirement. Mr. Repetske was a long-time member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church until its closing. He then found a new church home at the North Covington United Methodist Church. No matter where he attended church, his Russian Orthodox faith remained close to his heart. Mr. Repetske was born at 410 Shingiss St., in McKees Rocks, Pa., son of John and Anna Repetske. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Alice Cowan Repetske and three brothers and five sisters. He was the youngest of the nine children. Mr. Repetske proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1942-1945, in the European Theater. During his service, he received the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, American Campaign Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Three Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal.

Family members include his daughters Donna Christie and husband Jim of Tallahassee, Fla., Glenda Eller and husband Walter of Covington; son Russell Repetske and wife Janice of Athens; grandchildren Mark and Joy Christie of Hollywood, Fla., Vince and April McGlothin-Eller of Chicago, Ill., Dave Eller of Covington, Ryan and Courtney Repetske, Allyson and Clint Winter, all of Athens; great-grandchildren Aidan Christie, Julian and Zemery McGlothin-Eller, Ruby and Ty Winter; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Repetske will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Dec. 1, at the chapel of Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, with the Rev. Michael Bell and the Rev. Russell Repetske officiating, and interment, with military honors, will follow in Lawnwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. today, Nov. 30. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Repetske's wishes were that donations be made to North Covington United Methodist Church, 5138 Emory Street NW, Covington, GA 30014.