Vernon Runkle Criswell

FELTON- Vernon Runkle Criswell, 90, went home to join his heavenly family on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Vernon was born in Chanceford Township, York County, PA on June 7, 1923, son of the late Joseph A. Criswell and Effie Runkle Criswell. He was a life-long farmer and enjoyed being outdoors, tending his vegetable gardens, cutting and splitting wood, and tinkering around on the farm. He also worked for Saylor Furniture and Appliances, Red Lion, for 30 years, retiring in 1985. A Member of Winterstown United Methodist Church for most of his life, he served as a trustee for many years and as building fund treasurer when the new church was built in Winterstown. An avid hunter and a member of Winterstown Hunting Camp in Huntingdon County for over 50 years, he enjoyed swapping stories with his hunting friends and spending time in the woods in pursuit of deer and turkey. Vernon was also a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and a member of American Legion Post #543. Those who knew him will remember his smile and sense of humor and his ability to look on the bright side of most everything. The message on one of many birthday cakes read: “To Someone Who is Out Standing in His Field” with a small statue of a farmer holding a garden rake. Vernon demonstrated this over and over throughout the years by the way he lived his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret in November of 2012. They shaded life together on the farm for 66 years. He is survived by two sons, Gary Criswell and wife Cindy of Gardners, and Randy Criswell and his wife Eunice of Felton; four grandchildren, Amy Criswell of Minneapolis, MN, Robin Tarbert of Delta, Aaron Criswell of Felton, and Ethan Criswell of Felton; and one great granddaughter, Katherine Tarbert of Delta. Vernon is also survived by one sister, Frieda Keesey. He was preceded in death by brothers, Lester Criswell, David Criswell, Robert Criswell, and Floyd Criswell, and sisters, Hazel Gouker and Fern Shermyer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to one of the following: Winterstown United Methodist Church Building Fund, 12184 Winterstown Road, Felton, PA 17322 or Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, c/o Robert Heffner, 11071 Short Cut Road, Felton, PA 17322. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 546 Pleasant Grove Road, Red Lion. Visitation with the family will be held from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Church Cemetery with full military honors by York County Veterans Honor Guard. LifeTributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place in Red Lion is in charge of the arrangements.