Ethel Burkholder

Heaven gained a very special angel on the afternoon of Sunday, May 15, 2022, as Ethel Burkholder was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. Ethel is the daughter of the late Melvin “Hawk” Henry Hockley and Goldie Mae Hockley of Toland, PA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Melvin Hockley; the love of her life, Ronald G. Burkholder; and her stepson, Craig A. Burkholder.

When Ethel was just a little girl of nine years old, she attended a revival at Toland Missionary Church and just could not wait to go up front and profess her love for God and accept him into her heart forever. And that she did. Ethel tried to live her life walking as closely as she could with the Lord, even through the difficult times. She instilled her Godly values into each of her children and grandchildren and always told them to go to the Lord in prayer in the dark and difficult times of her life. Ethel was truly a role model of unconditional love and fairness. She was a member of Brandt’s Church, St. Thomas, PA, and loved and adored her church family so very much.

Ethel loved spending time on her porch watching birds and sitting on the swing with her beloved Nikki. She especially loved to watch the hummingbirds come to feed each spring. Ethel also very much enjoyed gardening and working in her flower beds, as well as crocheting blankets for her family.

She is survived by her son, Daniel L. Fearnbaugh of Newville; her daughter, Tammy S.J. (Michael) Parthemore of Middletown, DE; her son, John J. Fearnbaugh of Carlisle; and her stepdaughter Ronda (Dave) Swineheart of Palmyra. Ethel is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Dalton Fearnbaugh, Garrett Parthemore, Alexis Fearnbaugh, James Fearnbaugh, Bryce Fearnbaugh, and Alivia Fearnbaugh; her sisters, Rose Ann (Harold) Jones of Carlisle and Jean (Larry) Hess of Gardners; sisters-in-law, Diana Jumper of Newville and Connie (Bob) Tichnell of Newville. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

As you reflect on what Ethel brought to your life and what she meant to you, please remember how much and how deeply she loved and her faithfulness to God.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, May 20, 2022, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. Pastor Rodger Myers will officiate. Interment will follow in the Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service on Friday morning at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brandt’s Church at 8003 Brandt’s Church Rd, St Thomas, PA 17252.