Ross C. Pickel

RED LION – Ross C. Pickel, 93, died Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at his home. He was the husband of Dorcas C. (Leibhart) Pickel to whom he was married for 73 years. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Life Tributes by Olewiler and Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, with Pastor Phyllis A. Hunter officiating. Viewings will be held from 7-9:00 p.m. Friday and 9-10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Funeral Home. A Masonic service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. Mr. Pickel was born August 4, 1918 in East Lampeter Twp., Lancaster County. He was a son of the late Ray A. and Mable (Carpenter) Pickel. He worked as a truck driver and farmer until his retirement from Edgecomb Steel in the early 1980s. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Craley. Mr. Pickel was also a member of Red Lion Masonic Lodge No. 649, Tall Cedars of Lebanon No. 30 York, Red Lion Scottish Rite Club, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Harrisburg, Zembo Temple in Harrisburg, Loyal Order of Moose No. 0148 York, Craley Community Fire Co., New Bridgeville Fire Co., York County Fire Police, Red Lion Elks No. 1592, Early American Steam Engine Society in Red Lion, South Central Penn Historic Lifestyle and Pourer Society, Starview Fish and Game Club, York County Square Club, and Yorkana Fish and Game. He also enjoyed buying and selling antique cars, and raising bison. In addition to his wife, Mr. Pickel is survived by two daughters, Nancy and husband Kenneth Hake of Red Lion and Gloria Hershey of Red Lion; four grandsons, Bradley, Dayne, Travis and Christopher D. Hake; 8 great-grandchildren, Stewart, Dwayne, Jason, Derek, Alicia, Tiffany, Courtney, and Christopher R. Hake; one great-great-grandson, Braidyn Hake; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Carl, Earl and Gerald Pickel; two grandsons, Jeffrey and Gregory Hake; and a son-in-law, Charles Hershey. In memory of Mr. Pickel, memorial contributions may be made to Craley Community Fire Company, 73 New Bridgeville Road, Craley, PA 17312.