Rev. Richard R. Ail

Rev. Richard Robert Ail, 94, of Elizabethtown, passed away on December 28, 2014 at Masonic Village. He was the husband of Anne Oswald Ail, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage this past March. Born in Lebanon on September 9, 1920, he was the son of the late Albert and Irene Glant Ail. Richard was a 1938 graduate of Lebanon High School. Following high school, he went on to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Forecasting School and later the Evangelical Congregational Seminary in Myerstown. He served proudly as a Master Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force for 23 years during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. While in the U.S. Air Force, he served as a Weather Forecaster. Richard was also a retired Minister from the Evangelical Congregational Denomination. He pastored churches in Rock, Pine Grove, Steelstown, and Lawn, PA. He was a member of St. John’s E.C. Church in Steelstown. For over ten years, Richard was a host for the Fresh Air Program. He was an exceptional bowler (having bowled with church and military leagues), and acquired an extensive collection of trophies for the league’s high average as well as being a member of first place teams. Some of his interests included photography, afternoon drives to visit friends or family, and practical jokes and puns. He loved reading and had an extensive personal library. Richard was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team for the past 80 years. Consistent with his passion for travel and to honor his 23 years of service, Richard visited the U.S.A.F. Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio for a special 85th birthday celebration with his children. Richard had a strong commitment to, and love for, his country. He was known for his letters written to the editors of various newspapers on a wide variety of topics. He loved chocolate – especially chocolate donuts and Hershey Candy, and was practically unbeatable at pinochle and rummy! The family would like to send a special thank you to the care givers at Masonic Village for not only excellent care, but also for the tender and loving care that was given to Richard by the staff of the Lafayette West Neighborhood and the Masonic Village Hospice team. Surviving in addition to his wife are his daughter Suzanne Ail; and sons Timothy and wife Sharon Blauch Ail, Daniel and wife Beth DeLiberty Ail, and Robert and wife Ellen Eifert Ail; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a step brother Leonard Snyder. He was preceded in death by his sisters Marguerite and Betty Jane. There will be a time of visitation held with the family on Friday evening January 2, 2015 from 5 to 8 PM at the Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 618 E. Main Street, Annville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 3 at 11AM at the St. John’s E.C. Church, 683 Steelstown Road, Annville. There will be an additional time of visitation held one hour prior to the funeral services (at the church). Interment will be in St. John’s E.C. Church Cemetery, Annville, with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Richard’s memory to his church: Lebanon Rescue Mission, 1223 Bittner Blvd., Lebanon, PA 17046; or Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services, P.O. Box 707, Lebanon, PA 17042. PDF Printable Version

Rev. Richard R. Ail

September 9, 1920 - December 28, 2014