Kissell, Richard M. (1921-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Mar 30 p. 9

Birth date: 1921 Sep 18

text of obituary:

RICHARD M. KISSELL

Richard M. Kissell, 87, of York, Pa., and formerly of Thomas Mills, died March 12, 2009. He was born Sept. 18, 1921, to Ralph and Agnes (Livingston) Kissell in Davidsville.

He was a member of the first graduating class of Conemaugh Township Area High School. He served in Civilian Public Service during World War II with assignments in Virginia and Rhode Island. He was a master plumber and owner of Richard M. Kissell Plumbing and Heating for 44 years. He served as a missionary with the Mennonite church in Araguacema, Brazil, for 12 years, where he worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of the locals’ lives. He was an original member of and the major driving force behind the steering committee that eventually resulted in building Laurel View Village Retirement Center in Davidsville. He was a member of Carpenter Park Mennonite Church, and he faithfully served in various local and regional church capacities throughout his life.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Novelda (Thomas) Kissell of York; four children, Kathleen Crum and her husband, Peter J., Girven R. Kissell and his wife, Beth, all of Dallas, Texas, Barbara Scott and her husband, Thomas R., of York, and Rebecca Richards and her husband, Jay R., of Harrisonburg, Va.; three sisters, Esther Ems and Ferne Mayak, both of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Ruth Van Wald of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Loraine, and brother Raymond.

A memorial service will be held April 11 at 11 a.m. at Carpenter Park Mennonite Church, Davidsville, Pa. One of Richard Kissell’s many projects while in Araguacema, Brazil, was the founding and building of a K-12 school. In his memory, the RMK Memorial Escola Menno Simons Fund has been established by the family. Checks should be made to RMK Memorial Fund and mailed to Barbara Scott, 189 Highland Road, York, PA 17403-3812.