Robert "Skip" Hornickel

Robert Marshall “Skip” Hornickel passed away, suddenly, but painlessly, on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Born on November 7, 1925, in Lakewood, Ohio, he was the 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, in Monongahela, Penn. 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 The Kiski School in Saltsburg, Penn., and later entered Ohio Northern University, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, receiving his bachelor degree in Pharmacy in 1950. After working as a registered pharmacist in Ohio and Donora, Penn., he opened Colonial Pharmacy in 1960 on East Pike Street in Canonsburg, Penn. After a large urban renewal project saw the closing of the pharmacy in 1979, he worked for area pharmacies until his retirement in 1989. Skip 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. Skip also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Syria Shrine and the 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 his children, Helen Elizabeth Taras, and her husband John of Belchertown, Mass.; and Dr. Howard “Howdy” Hornickel, and his wife Kristan, of Washington. He leaves five dearly loved grandchildren, Jordan and Caitlin Taras of Boston, Mass.; and Kyle, Alexis, and Ryan Hornickel of Washington. He is survived by his brother, John “Jack” Hornickel and wife Polly of Hudson, Ohio, and is predeceased by his sister Kathryn Hornickel Hamilton; her husband Wayne, survives in Orono, Maine. He will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Calling hours at the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, will be Saturday, March 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additional visitation will be on Sunday, March 3 at the Church of the Covenant, 267 E. Beau Street from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A service at 1:30 p.m. will celebrate Skip/Grandpa Skippy’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Skip’s name may be made to the Church of the Covenant Building and Grounds fund.