Eleanor M. (Slyder) Reichel

Eleanor M. (Slyder) Reichel, 92, of Harrisburg, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at her home, with family at her side. Daughter of the late Charles and Thelma (Swauger) Slyder, she was born on August 9, 1928 in Harrisburg.

She was a 1946 graduate of John Harris High School, Harrisburg, and was a member of the marching band. She was active in many groups throughout the years, most recently with T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) as a seven-year K.O.P.S. (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) member. She was a former member of the Red Hat Society, and started her own group, “Sunshine Sisters,” who met one Saturday a month for lunch and fellowship. She was a woman of strong Christian faith and enjoyed being with her family and friends. She attended Paxton United Methodist Church, though she wasn’t able to attend in recent years. In the workforce, she began as a sales clerk for Pomeroy’s as a teenager; from there, she took a job with the state government in data entry. She worked for Mellon Bank, also dealing with data entry, and then finished her working years at Cokesbury Book Store, Union Deposit. She was involved with her children’s scouting, serving as Den Mother for David and Kenneth, and Scout Leader for Elaine. She was talented in the kitchen, often baking cakes on the side for weddings or other formal occasions, and she was a member of the Susquehanna Valley Model A Restorer’s Club. If she wasn’t with her family or socializing with friends, you could likely find Eleanor watching Game Show Network, The Lawrence Welk Show, or Sunday Morning Pastors.

Surviving are her children and their spouses, Elaine & David Hamburg, Kenneth Reichel, and David & Lorie Reichel; grandchildren, Jennifer Foster, John Foster, Suzanne Coyner, J.J. Reichel, Giovanna Piccioni, Jacob Reichel, Joshua Reichel, and Paige Reichel; and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob John Reichel; grandson, Tyler Reichel; great-grandson, Gaelin Reichel; and a brother, Ronald Slyder.

A public viewing will take place from 10-11AM on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland. Burial will take place immediately following the viewing at Shoop’s Cemetery, Colonial Park.

Between the hospice nurses and Chaplain Bill Chamberlin, Eleanor’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to Residential Hospice for their first-class and unwavering care. And so they are able to extend their extraordinary gifts to others in need, the family is asking for donations to Residential Hospice, rather than a flower order. A donation in Eleanor’s name may be made to: Residential Hospice, 100 Sterling Parkway, Suite 110, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.