Robert Marshall Hornickel
Robert Marshall “Skip” Hornickel passed away suddenly, but painlessly, Saturday, February 23, 2013.
He was born November 7, 1925, in Lakewood, Ohio, a son of Howard E. and Elizabeth Matheny Hornickel.
Starting school in Bay Village, Ohio, the family moved in 1936, where he attended Monongahela High School. Instead of being drafted for World War II, he enlisted in the Air Force while still in high school and served as a B-24 tail gunner with the 458th Bombardment Group, 754th Air Squadron, from 1941 to 1945.
Post war, he received his high school diploma in 1946, attended Kiski School in Saltsburg and later entered Ohio Northern University, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, receiving his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1950.
After working as a registered pharmacist in Ohio and Donora, he opened Colonial Pharmacy in 1960 on East Pike Street in Canonsburg. After a large urban renewal project saw the closing of the pharmacy in 1979, he worked for area pharmacies, until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Hornickel enjoyed boating, making beautiful latch-hook rugs, attending River City Brass Band concerts and baking his famous flavored bread for friends and family. He was an excellent carpenter and completely renovated a historic Scenery Hill tavern built in 1832, a home his family lived in for many years. He volunteered his carpentry expertise for numerous family home projects as well as thousands of hours of assistance to the Church of the Covenant, where he was a member. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a member of Syria Shrine and Western Wing of the Eighth Air Force.
He and his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary Constance “Connie” Callahan Hornickel, who survives, enjoyed many trips throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean.
Also surviving are two children, Helen Elizabeth Taras and husband John of Belchertown, Mass., and Dr. Howard “Howdy” Hornickel and wife Kristan of Washington; five dearly loved grandchildren, Jordan and Caitlin Taras of Boston, Mass., and Kyle, Alexis and Ryan Hornickel of Washington; and a brother, John “Jack” Hornickel and wife Polly of Hudson, Ohio.
Deceased is a sister, Kathryn Hornickel Hamilton; her husband, Wayne, survives in Orono, Maine.
Mr. Hornickel will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the time of service, Sunday, March 3, in Church of the Covenant, 267 East Beau Street, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Church of the Covenant Building and Grounds fund. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.