Dale K. Gemmill

YORK Dale K. Gemmill, 89, died Friday, March 25, 2011 at his home. He was the devoted husband of 61 years to Barbara L. (Heiland) Gemmill, whom he was married August 27, 1949. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York with his pastor, The Rev. W. Michael Langford and his visitation pastor, The Rev. Owen Walter officiating. Viewings will be held from 7-9:00 PM Tuesday and 9-10:00 AM Wednesday at the Funeral Chapel. Masonic rites will be held at 8:45 PM Tuesday at the Funeral Chapel. Burial will be held in Mount Rose Cemetery. Born January 1, 1922 in Red Lion a son of the late William H. and Cora (Shearer) Gemmill, he was a 1939 graduate of Red Lion High School. He was a member of Messiah United Methodist Church. In addition to his wife, Mr. Gemmill is survived by two daughters, Dale Karen Myers of Spring Grove and Rebecca A. and husband David M. Smith of York; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren with one to be born soon; and a great great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by Penny Poff, his daughter by a previous marriage. Mr. Gemmill worked as a journeyman carpenter. In 1952 he was elected Secretary/Business Agent of the Carpenters Local Union. He served as the first Secretary of the merged AFL/CIO York/Adams County Labor Council, as Secretary of the PA State Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, PA State Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, and York Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL/CIO. In 1968 Mr. Gemmill resigned those positions to become Executive Director of the Keystone Building Contractors Assoc. in Harrisburg. He served as the Employer Trustee on the Harrisburg Building Trades, the Harrisburg and Williamsport Laborers Health & Welfare Pension Trust Funds, the Harrisburg and Johnstown Cement Masons Health & Welfare and Pension Trust Funds, and the Schuylkill Co., Bricklayers Health & Welfare and Pension Trust Fund. Mr. Gemmill was appointed by Governor Milton Shapp as the Employer Rep. to the PA State Prevailing Wage Appeals Board. He was elected to a six yr. term on the York City Board of Education serving both as VP and President and was elected to two, four yr. terms as a member of the York City Council, serving as President during the late 1960s. Mr. Gemmill served on the York Co. Chapter of the American Red Cross as Chapter Chairman in 1963-64; and as a member of the Bd. of Directors of the Penn-Laurel Chapter of the Girl Scouts of America. He became a charter member of the YAC Federal Credit Union in 1955 and served as Treasurer for 23 years. In 1954 he became a member of Zeredatha Lodge 451, Free and Accepted Masons. He was elected Worshipful Master in 1962 and Secretary in 1971, serving in that position for 27 yrs. He then served as Asst. Secretary for 11 yrs. retiring in 2010. He served as Scribe for the York Forest 30, Tall Cedars of Lebanon from 2008 -2010. He was a 32nd degree Mason, belonging to the Harrisburg Consistory and served as a board member of the York Assembly 92, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Mr. Gemmill was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Masonic Center of York Board of Directors in 1988, was a charter member and Secretary/Treasurer of the First Capital High Twelve Club, and also served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Masonic Center of York Endowment Fund from its inception. He retired from these positions in 2010. Mr. Gemmill was elected to the Colony Park Homeowners Assoc. Council, serving approx. 20 yrs., appointed manager in 2001, he served in that position through Sept. 2005. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 3417 Concord Rd., York, PA 17402 or Messiah U.M. Church, 1300 N. Beaver St., York, PA 17404, or to York Co. Chapter of American Cancer Society.