Joel L. Eshleman

Joel L. Eshleman, 50, of Mountville, PA, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023.  He was the loving husband of Danielle (Ciccocioppi) Eshleman, and father of Kylie and Kaleb Eshleman.

Joel was born in Lancaster and raised by his parents, James L. and Irene H. (Hammer) Eshleman in Lititz, PA where he learned to love baseball, dirt bikes, and shooting hoops.  Pick-up games became a way of life as he worked to follow his brother, Jamie’s footsteps.  Joel later excelled in basketball at Warwick.  He continued to share his love basketball throughout his lifetime by coaching various HYA rec, travel, and AAU teams.

Upon graduation, Joel attended Northampton College.  Shortly after, he began working at Y&S Candies, a division of the Hershey Company, where he remained a steadfast and hard-working employee at the time of his passing.

Above all else, Joel was a dedicated family man.  His number one priority in life was loving and taking care of his wife and children.  His favorite past-time was travel with his family.  Joel would research and plan endlessly to find all the best places to go and sights to see.  Of all the things Joel did, husband and father are roles he was born to play.  Nothing lit up his smile or made him more proud than watching his children grow up and being a part of all that they did.

Besides travel, Joel was passionate about sports and music of all types.  He was a diehard fan of his favorite teams since childhood and he loved to talk sports stats and analyze games.  Joel and Danielle often attended sporting events, concerts, and enjoyed seeing local musicians playing live.  Music was a big part of any gathering with family or friends.

Joel had many amazing gifts.  The first of these was the ability to form a connection with people.  He was selfless in his love of others.  Joel positively glowed when he was spending time with “his people”, whether that was playing softball, shooting pool, coaching, cheering his children, or catching up with friends over the years.  Another gift was his story-telling ability.  You cannot think of Joel without an epic adventure or entertaining story.  And, boy, did he have a quick wit.  If you were with Joel, you knew you were in for fun and laughter.  Lastly, he gifted all with steadfast support and consistency.  He was simply someone you could count on without fail.

Though Joel was taken far too soon, he lived without regret.  He worked hard.  He lived and loved hard.  He told family and friends what they meant to him.  He traveled and did the things he wanted.  If we can learn a lesson from Joel it would be to say the things, do the things, and take the trips because nothing is promised.

In addition to Danielle, Kylie, and Kaleb; Joel is survived by his parents, Jim and Irene Eshleman; a brother, Jamie Eshleman (Jennifer); aunts: Mary Gockley and Mildred Schofer; uncles: David Eshleman, Rick Eshleman (Mary), and Bruce Eshleman; nieces and nephews: Mason Eshleman, Morgan Venti (Anthony) , Madison Daggett, Noah Daggett, Clifford Brian, Jr, and Martin Brian; and many cousins.  He is preceded in death by grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service at Hempfield United Methodist Church, 3050 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601, on Thursday, February 23

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, 2023 at 6:00 PM with a visitation and refreshments to follow.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joel’s memory may be made to the Pennsylvania SPCA Lancaster Center.  To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit: www.DeBordSnyder.com.