Francis Armel

Francis “Red” Eugene Armel, age 84, of Marion, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. Born in Winchester, VA, on October 16, 1929, he was the son of the late Harry V. and Marjorie Knight Armel.
A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Armel served honorably during the Korean Conflict; he continued his service at Letterkenny Army Depot as a heavy equipment operator for many years, retiring in 1984. Mr. Armel was a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church. He enjoyed racing, especially NASCAR. He was a flagman at several regional dirt track speedways in Winchester, VA, Hagerstown, MD, Cumberland, MD, and St. Thomas, PA. Above all he enjoyed time with his family, hunting, and taking them camping.

Surviving is his wife of 65 years, Mary Lucille Barton Armel, four children, Tammy Sue Mickey (husband Richard) of Marion, PA; Cara Lou Sheaffer (husband Dewey) of Chambersburg, PA; Johnnie Gene Armel (wife Maria ) of Raleigh, NC; and Richard Lynn Armel of Mercersburg, PA; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three siblings, Raymond “Buddy”, Douglas, Sr. and Harry “Junior”, Jr. Armel; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several siblings.

A memorial visitation to honor Red’s life will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 10 – 11 AM at Park Ave. United Methodist Church, 1140 Edgar Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Inurnment will be private at a later date in the church columbarium. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Chambersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the above church and address or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation (for Parkinson’s Research), P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.