Joseph K. Delapp

Joseph Kearney DeLapp died of natural causes October 15, 2011 at 6:04 a.m. in ManorCare - Sinking Spring, where he had been since May 2011.

DeLapp, 84, of Wyomissing, was the husband of Josephine (Martello) VanHoove DeLapp. They would have celebrated their 15th anniversary on October 17th.

He was a U.S. Naval Aviator and veteran of World War II flying the F4U-Corsair. He was a 1949 graduate of Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Marketing. His extensive work history included the following: in 1950 - 1967 he was in field sales, marketing, and later the first Director of Advertising for M&M/Mars, Oak Park, IL; from 1967-1973 he was VP - Sales, Marketing, and Advertising for Peter Paul Inc., Naugatuck, CT; and in 1973-1986, prior to the purchase of Luden's Inc. by Hershey, he served as the Luden's VP - Sales and Marketing. DeLapp retired in 1989 from Hershey Foods. He was a past member of the Board of the National Association of Convenience Stores. Recognized for his confectionery product innovation and marketing campaigns such as the introduction of Frozen Snickers, introduction of (then) new Halloween miniature bars, two for one single wrap 5th Avenue candy bars, he was inducted as a Dean of the Candy Industry by the National Candy Wholesalers Association.

DeLapp was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and also served as Financial Secretary for Knights of Columbus Council #8726, St. Ignatius. He was Financial Secretary for the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Reading. Additionally, he was former Vice President of membership for the Sierra Club, and a member of the American Legion. A member of the US Naval Academy Blue & Gold Club, DeLapp was an avid Navy football fan and supporter arriving at games in his motor home "Benny" with his grandkids.

He was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, Whitfield, where he considered himself honored to serve as a Eucharistic Minister and a participating representative of the Knights of Columbus in hundreds and hundreds of baptisms.

Born in Evanston, IL, he was the son of Albert A. and Dorothy (Kearney) DeLapp. He was predeceased by his first wife Elizabeth ("Betz) Cook DeLapp (d.1993), and a brother Albert A. ("Bud") DeLapp II (d.1995).

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons: Joseph K. DeLapp II (Candice), Roswell, GA; Gregory P. DeLapp (Carol), Wyomissing; three daughters: Jacqueline S. Rosello (Donald), West Lawn; Elizabeth D. Twomey (James), East Greenwich, RI; Barbara A. Ross (William), Bethlehem. A step-son Robert L. VanHoove, Jr. (Karen Near), Mohnton; and four step-daughters: Bura Rogers (Cuthbert), Reston, VA; Mary Ann Price (Clay), Allen, TX; Betty VanHoove Esparra (widow of Pedro Esparra), Reading and Rebecca Dorsey (Christopher), Sinking Spring.

Other survivors include three sisters: Dorothy Van Buskirk, Powell, OH; Joan A. ("Chai") DeLapp, Evanston, IL and Gwendolyn ("Mitzi") Neilsen, St. Charles, MO.

There are also 12 grandchildren: JK, Ashley and Kyle DeLapp, Paul and Patrick DeLapp, Matthew DeLapp, Anthony and Daniel Rosello, and Jimmy, David, Andrew and Joey Twomey. And, 8 step-grandchildren: Royce and Pearl VanHoove, True and Joanna Price, Brendin, Arin, Devin Rogers, and Christopher Dorsey, Jr..

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, Whitfield. A viewing will be Friday 6 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Inurnment will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to A.A. DeLapp Family Heritage Scholarship, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI 49242, American Diabetes Association - Central PA, 3544 Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110, and St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, 2810 St. Albans Drive, Sinking Spring, PA 19608. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.