Vesper “Vep” Degenhart, 97, of Hazleton, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at The Waters of Princeton.

He was born May 22, 1921 in Hazleton to the late Barney R. and Myrtle (Thompson) Degenhart and lived in Hazleton his entire lifetime.

He was a graduate of Hazleton High School and worked as a welder in the Ship Yards during WW II. He retired in 1996 as the owner/operator of Vep’s Pool Room in Hazleton. Vep loved all the local sporting events and he was a champion pool and euchre player.

He is survived by nieces and nephews, Nancy Miller, Brenda Williams, Jenny Williams, Sam Williams, Harry Lee Degenhart, Joe Degenhart, Nancy Wheatley and Jim Prickett; several great and great-great nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Milly Degenhart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and 4 siblings, Mary M. Williams, Harry, Dallas and Charles Degenhart.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, with Pastor Stewart Armstrong officiating. Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery near Hazleton. Visitation will be from 12 noon until the hour of service on Saturday at Colvin Funeral Home.