John R. Biechler

Born on December 31,1920, passed on peacefully surrounded by the love of his family, April 30, 2014. Dick a WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient, served in the 82 Airborne Division from 1942-1945. He graduated from Franklin and Marshal in 1949 and began his career at Conestoga Bank. He eventually became president and CEO of Commonwealth National Bank in 1977. Among his other accomplishments, he served on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia from 1978-1982. Active in the community, Dick was director of the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, chairman of the United Negro College Fund Inc, a member of UNCF’s National Corporate Committee, a member of the board of managers of for Harrisburg Hospital, on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce for the Greater Harrisburg Area, a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, a chairman of the Action for Excellence Campaign of Harrisburg Hospital, president of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and director of the Boy’s Club of Lancaster. Dick also loved flying, sailing, painting and golfing. Dick was a member of Hamilton Park United Church of Christ. Dick is survived by his wife, Helen; his daughter Julie Harris and husband Dr. Brian; his son James Biechler and wife Kelly; his daughter-in-law Linda Beddia; his step sons Glenn and Donald Witmer; his grandchildren Sharon Long, Mike Biechler, Angela Shaw, Nichole Vener, Joe, Scott, and Maria Beddia, Andrew King, Jill Rotunda, Winston, Spencer, and Taylor Harris, Leah, Luke, Hannah and Ben Biechler. He is reunited in heaven with his son John Biechler, daughter Joyce King, brother Bill, sister June, and loving parents. The celebration services will be held at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, 1210 Maple Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, on Thursday,

May 8

, 2014 at 11:00 am. The family will greet guests from

10:00

am till time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grane Hospice of York or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Central PA.