Gary Fishel

Gary Lee Fishel, 75, of Shippensburg, departed this life on the afternoon of Monday, December 28, 2015, at the York Hospital.

He was born on February 26, 1940, in Mechanicsburg, son of the late Harry and Hazel Fishel Stong. Gary was a graduate of Boiling Springs High School, an honorably discharged U.S. Air Force veteran, and earned a Masters Degree in Education from Shippensburg University. He married Mary Beth Louis on January 26, 1965, in Hagerstown, MD.

Gary spent thirty seven years as a teacher, counselor, and football coach at the former Scotland School for Veterans Children, Scotland, PA, where he mentored countless students of the Scotland School family. After retiring he had been working part-time in the Men’s Department at the Shippensburg Wal-Mart for the past eleven years.

He was a member of the Memorial Lutheran Church, the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion Post #223, and the Durff-Kuhn V.F.W. #6168, all of Shippensburg; as well as the Elks Lodge # 600, Chambersburg. In his free time Gary enjoyed golfing, his poker club, and trips to Atlantic City to play cards, driving around in his sports car, and attending grandchildren’s sporting events. He was well known around a few local Shippensburg eateries for his random acts of kindness.

Gary is survived by his wife of fifty years, Mary Beth; four daughters, Christine (Joseph) Hoover of New Cumberland, Heather Lynch of Shippensburg, Libby (Richard) Staver of Shippensburg, and Rebecca Fishel of Tampa, FL; one brother, James Fishel of Boiling Springs; seven grandchildren, Maggie Hoover, Chelsy Kernan, Levi Lynch, Maddie Bender, Zoe Bender, Remy Staver, and Elke Staver; one great grandson, Liam Kernan; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.

His memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at the Memorial Lutheran Church, Shippensburg. Rev. Herbert Spomer will officiate. Interment will be private, however, military honors conducted by the Shippensburg Area Veterans Council will occur outside the church following the service. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Saturday morning at the church.

The family requests the omission of flowers as none will be accepted due to health reasons. If you wish to donate in Gary’s memory, gifts can be given to the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter at 5051 Letterkenny Road West Chambersburg, PA 17201.