James Dickel

James P. Dickel Sr. 86, of Mount Savage, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.

Born July 25, 1930 to William P. and Mary P. (Brown) Dickel in High Soda, PA; he is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Robert S. Dickel.

Mr. Dickel was a POW in the Korean Conflict for 38 months. The 472nd Tigers, 238 that died as POW’s, 185 that died after they came home and as of December 10, 2016 only 49 were living. The 472nd Tigers lost a proud and resilient man on January 3rd.

Jim was a member of the Korean War Vets #107, the James P. Dickel Chapter; Farrady Post 24 American Legion and Fire Department Police. He was a lifetime member and the oldest member of Mt. Savage Volunteer Fire Department with 63 years of service, K of C #1058, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and a life time member of Piney Mountain Sportsman Club, Disabled American Veterans and a Mt. Savage Little League founding member.

Jim loved tinkering in his wood shop, was a practical joker, and loved his grandchildren especially teaching them to play cards. He was retired from Mt. Savage Brick Yard, Kaiser Refactories and the Allegany County Public School system.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years and renewed their vows on their anniversary December 26th, Mary Lou Dickel; two sons, Jimmy Dickel, Mt. Savage and David Dickel and wife Cindy, Cumberland; and a daughter, Kathy Koelker and husband Chuck, Cumberland; grandchildren, Lindsey and husband, Kabir Archuletta, Kensington, MD, Lacy Dickel, Upper Marlboro, Shayna and husband Sean Welsh, Cresaptown, and Garrett Dickel and fiancé Taylor Buffenmyer, Baltimore, Mick and wife Nicole D’Atri, Corriganville, Todd Merbaugh, Frostburg, Carter Dickel and girlfriend, Becca Alkire, Frostburg, and Courtney Koelker, Cumberland; great grandchildren, Everett and Willow Archuletta, Kensington, Sheldon, Shane and Summer Welsh, Cresaptown, Kane Koelker “his little buddy”, Cumberland and Jordan D’Atri, Corriganville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are brother-in-law, Joseph V. Carter and sister-in-law, Peggie Whitehead.

Family and friends will be received at Durst Funeral Home, 57 Frost Ave., Frostburg, MD on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, Mount Savage on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 10:00 am with Fr. Gregory Chervenak, OFM Cap as celebrant.

Internment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Mt. Savage Fire Department, PO Box 533, Mt. Savage, MD 21545 or Western MD Food Bank, PO Box 243, Cumberland, MD 21502 or Toys for Happiness, 12604 Bedford Road, Cumberland, MD 21502.

The family specially thanks, Congestive Heart Failure Clinic, Brandi Clark; WMHS Emergency Room, the 5th, 6th and 7th floor staff, Dialysis Unit and staff; Mt. Savage VFD, Frostburg Village Care Center, Cumberland VA Clinic; Dr. Gupta, Dr. Parousis, and Dr. Pellegrino.