Richard L. Beidel, 85, of Fayetteville, PA, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Chambersburg Hospital. Born February 25, 1941 in Dry Run, PA, he was a son of the late Charles R. Beidel and Mary I. Shields Beidel Crider.
Richard was a 1959 graduate of Shippensburg High School and went on to work in the printing industry for 45 years. He was first employed at the Beistle Company and later at American Can (James River) for 37 years before ending his working days at Beidel Printing in Shippensburg until his retirement in 2003. Richard was a member of The Open Door Church in Chambersburg, AARP and the NRA. Richard loved God’s great outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and visited every state east of the Mississippi River, but their favorite place to go was Nashville, TN, where they once sang at the Grand Ole Opry.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Jane Gilbert Beidel, whom he met in 1957 and married on September 19, 1959; three children, Ricky Allen Beidel of Chambersburg, Curtis Paul Beidel of Fayetteville, and Michael E. Beidel (Heidi) of Fayetteville; five grandchildren, Shelbi Minnick (Zach) of Fayetteville, Mason Deshong (Shayla) of Chambersburg, Chase Beidel of Fayetteville, PFC Braedon Beidel of NC (currently serving in the US Marine Corps), and C.J. Beidel (Trish) of Waynesboro; four great grandchildren, Sydnie, Jasper, Adalynn and Brantley; one brother, Charles; two sisters, Betty and Linda; and numerous nieces and nephews. Aside from his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his infant son, Donnie Beidel; and his daughter-in-law, Melody Beidel.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Rev. Mike Sanders and Rev. Carl McKee will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and one hour prior service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Open Door Church, 600 Miller St., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Condolences and memories may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com.
