Walter Ramsey

Walter S. Ramsey, Jr., 91, of Chambersburg, passed away on Sunday morning, March 6, 2016 at his home. Born December 4, 1924 in Culbertson, PA, he was a son of the late Walter Sr. and Arra McCune Ramsey.

Walter was a 1943 graduate of the former Chambersburg, High School. A World War II veteran, he served honorably in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Sgt. from 1943 through 1946. He was an Aerial Engineer on a C-47 Aircraft and assigned to the 19th Troop Carrier Squadron. His recognitions included the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He received his military training at Keesler Air Base, Biloxi, MS; Chanute Field, Champaign, IL; Savannah, GA; and Amarillo, TX. Upon completion of his training he finished his tour of duty at John Rogers Air Base in Honolulu, HI.

After two years employment at Letterkenny Army Depot, he started his own business in 1949 as a used car dealer on Rt. 11 North of Chambersburg and in 1954 he expanded the business to include mobile homes sales and service. Partnering with his brother Richard he build his first mobile home park in Greenvillage and in 1963 they constructed their second mobile home park on Sycamore Grove Road. Selling his sales lot in 1966, Walter semi-retired and in 1970 he and his brother sold the two mobile home parks and retired completely.

Walter and his wife enjoyed fishing locally and in Canada. They also enjoyed motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, golfing and hunting together in various locations in Pennsylvania and Colorado. They were lifelong residents of Chambersburg who for 15 years spent their winters in Florida and in 2003 they moved to Menno Haven Retirement Community. Walter was a member of King Street United Brethren Church and a life member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW and Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janet B. Ramsey, whom he married on February 13, 1960; five nephews, Lynn S. Ramsey, Jr. (wife Linda) of Shippensburg, Larry E. Ramsey (wife Shirley) of Chambersburg, Robert W. Ramsey (wife Wendy), of Chambersburg, Richard W. Ramsey (wife Theresa) of Chambersburg and Jeffery A. Ramsey (wife Cindy) of Chambersburg. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three siblings, Richard M. Ramsey, Lynn S. Ramsey, Sr., and Jean E. Ramsey.

A funeral service to honor Walter’s life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 11, 2016 in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Lester F. Stine and Rev. Paul B. Baker will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Norland Cemetery where Military Honors will be provided by members of the Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 7:00- 9:00 PM at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 5051 Letterkenny Road West, Chambersburg, PA 17201 or to Grane Hospice, 4 Lemoyne Dr. Lemoyne, PA 17043. The family would like to thank Julie, Hope, Sara, Cherie, Allison, Lindsey, Catherine, and Ashley from Grane Hospice for their exceptional care for Walter.