Merle Pefley

Merle R. “Dick” Pefley, 89, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Friday afternoon, September 1, 2023 at the Shook Home. Born October 2, 1933 in Martinsburg, WV, he was a son of the late Paul and Gladys Burkholder Pefley. Dick attended Chambersburg High School and served honorably with the US Army 84th Combat Engineers, 75th Battalion in Okinawa and Formosa during the Korean War. Early in his life he worked at the former Chambersburg Engineering Company and was then employed for twenty-one years at the former H.J. Heinz Company He then worked for twenty-three years at Letterkenny Army Depot as an Ordinance Demolition Technician, retiring in 1998. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion, Letterkenny Rod and Gun Club, the Goodwill S.F.E. & H #3, and was a life member Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW and the Chambersburg Club. Dick enjoyed hunting, visiting with his friends at the Chambersburg Club, and had a habit of checking out the construction projects in Chambersburg. He was an avid sports fan. He and his brother attended all but four home Penn State football games in thirty-one years and he was a gold card member of the Chambersburg Trojan Athletic Association.

He is survived by his brother, Sheldon “Skip” Pefley and wife Debbie of Chambersburg, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Pefley, Jr., and a sister, Rhuie “Penny” Costolo.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, September7, 2023 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Thomas Dunkle will officiate. Interment with military honors by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friend one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Chambersburg Club, 225 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201.