Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Dr. Richard Hershey Meily, 76, long-time educator at Millersville University, devoted husband and father of five children, passed away peacefully at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief illness on February 18, 2007. He was surrounded by family.

Born in Hershey in 1930, he was the son of the late Charles and Miriam (Hershey) Meily. Raised in Shippensburg, he loved performing on the stage and graduated from Shippensburg High School and Shippensburg State College. He voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Romanian Translator during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he married the love of his life, Ruth Reese.

Dr. Meily was a teacher for nearly four decades. He taught at Boiling Springs, Newville, Edinboro University and finally, for 23 years, as a professor of Elementary Education at Millersville University. During his time M.U., he earned his Ph.D. in Education from Walden University. Dr. Meily worked hard and encouraged students his entire life.

His greatest joys were his marriage of 53 years, his children, and spending time with his grandchildren. Family was always his priority. A resident of Marticville for 41 years, his hobbies included woodcarving, painting, gardening, and mowing the lawn, even after suffering a stroke. Some of the highlights of the last year were visiting Rehoboth Beach with his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his community and students while being remembered as an inspirational educator and a wonderful father. Some of his favorites in life were the humor of The Three Stooges, the beauty of the birds, the sound of the ocean waves, and the soft touch of the gentle breeze. He enjoyed the different seasons of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, especially, the flowers in the spring and the warmth of the sun in the summer. Even after suffering a stroke, he continued mowing his three acre lawn, inspiring neighbors to mow their lawns as nicely.

A 21 gun salute and Military Honors were held at graveside in Newburg, PA. A personalized memorial service was held in his honor and memory, where the Reverend Richard Reese and a few of his children shared life stories. His life pictures were also set to music in a unique DVD Memorial presentation, which brought both laughter and tears. Dr. Meily's request to hand out Hershey Bars to everyone in attendance was also honored during the service as he loved giving treats to everyone throughout his life. He will be remembered as an amazing man filled with the joy of laughter and an appreciation for nature. May Richard Meily rest in peace...