Wesley Alan “Wes” Lepley, 68, of Newton, died Sun-day, June 25, 2023, at his home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 29, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Newton. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Wes’s family would like to encourage casual attire as that is what Wes would have wanted. Memorials to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration may be left at the funeral home.
Wes, the son of Richard and Mabel (King) Lepley, was born May 20, 1955, in Newton. He graduated from Newton High School in 1973. Wes was united in marriage with Tressa McCracken on Aug. 30, 1974, in Newton. They made their home for many years on East 20th Street South in Newton where Wes was known as “The Mayor.” While their children, Nicholas and Rachel, were growing up, Wes enjoyed hosting bonfires, having fabulous fireworks displays, and keeping the order in the neighborhood. Some of these events would end in spirited conversation with the local police.
Wes was a longtime employee of the Vernon Company and Meisner Electric. For several years, he worked a second job to save money for a 1993 Disney World trip for his children. Wes had a lifelong love of street cars and enjoyed working on his 1939 Chevy and several old Chevy panel trucks. He liked taking them to car shows and events. Growing up, Rachel remembers helping get cars ready for Good Guys. She also would help Wes in the garden, and Nicholas enjoyed taking walks to the creek and scout trips. As a family, their annual trip, which has spanned over 50 years, to the Prairie du Chien, WI, area, will always be treasured. The trip has evolved from just Wes and Tressa to then include their children and now their grandchildren. Although Wes has always been a “to the point” guy, he had a soft spot in his heart for Hallmark movies, especially during Christmas time. In 2017, Wes retired from Trinity Industries.
Wes is survived by his wife Tressa Lepley of Newton; children Nicholas (Colleen) Lepley of Lynnville and Rachel (Jesse) Bryant of Indianola; his grandchildren Allyssa, Kamiya, Gavin, and Karson Lepley and Owen and Aiden Bryant; brothers Steve (Kay) Lepley of Newton and Brad Lepley of Newton; his lifelong friend and “4th brother” Scott Walker of Newton; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Keith Lepley.
