Robert R. Gemmill

AIRVILLE - Robert Reed Gemmill, 93, died on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at York Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Lucille S. (Bailey) Gemmill. The couple were wed on April 4, 1941. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012 at Chanceford Presbyterian Church, 1784 Woodbine Rd., Airville, with his pastor, The Reverend Guy W. Dunham officiating. A visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Pl., Red Lion, is in charge of arrangements. Born on August 31, 1919 in Woodbine, he was a son of the late John T. and Clara M. (Reed) Gemmill. Robert graduated from Lower Chanceford High School in 1938 and later graduated from North Western School of Taxidermy. He also attended York Collegiate Institute. Over the following years, he was in the canning business with his father, owned a general grocery, feed and hardware store, an insurance agency and a taxidermy shop, all on Woodbine Rd. Robert was a lifelong member of Chanceford Presbyterian Church. He served over 60 years as a member and past President of the Mason-Dixon Lions Club. He was also an Emeritus member of the York County Conservation Society Board of Directors. Bob had deep roots in York County being a 7th generation Gemmill. He was descended from the first Swedish colonists in Delaware who immigrated here in the 1600’s. He was also a descendant from Colonel Joseph Reed, a Revolutionary War Veteran of Valley Forge, who supplied flour to the troops, from Reed’s Mill on Otter Creek. In addition to his wife, Lucille, Robert is survived by a son, Eldon Gemmill and his wife, Lois of Westminster, MD; a daughter, Brenda Lee McNeill and her husband, Jim of Cody, WY; four grandchildren, Chad McNeill, Colleen McNeill, Marin C. Gemmill and Myra L. Gemmill; and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Chris McNeill; and an infant brother. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chanceford Presbyterian Church Building Fund/Cemetery Association, 1784 Woodbine Rd., Airville, PA 17302.