James & Mary Dodrill

James Paul Dodrill Sr., 96, of Newville, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024. His beloved wife Mary L. Dodrill (Deckard), 95, of Newville, Pennsylvania, joined him on December 14, 2024. A gathering to celebrate both of their lives together will be held on December 27, 2024 from 11am-12pm at the Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, at 2020 W Trindle Rd in Carlisle, PA 17013.

James was born April 8, 1928, in Mishawaka, Indiana and Mary was born May 29th, 1929 in Bloomdale, Ohio. Both were living in Fostoria, Ohio where they were introduced to each other by James’ brother. After James’ honorable discharge from the Navy in Pensacola Florida they were married on September 17, 1950, in Fostoria, Ohio.

After receiving his degree from Georgia Southern, James and Mary moved to Huntsville, Alabama where he went to work for Rohm and Haas in support of their work at the Redstone Arsenal Research Division. Mary was a stay at home mom. When Leigh and Jimmy were older, Mary enjoyed working at Fifth Avenue Elementary School. They made great friendships with many in the community including their beloved neighbor and Mary’s great friend Joan Colburn.

During his 40 years as a Senior Project Engineer with Rohm and Haas, James and Mary had the opportunity to travel the country and world, including time spent living in Houston Texas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Yarm, England, Paris, France, and Berlin, Germany. Upon retiring Mary and James moved to their farm outside of Newville Pennsylvania. James and Mary pursued their many passions with Jim playing golf, Mary antique collecting and going to group exercise classes sponsored by the Big Spring Senior Center while getting together for coffee afterwards. They both enjoyed going to concerts, while also fixing up their farm. During this time, they made many more friends and enjoyed hosting their family playing many competitive Rummy and Euchre tournaments. 

Preceding James and Mary in death was their son, James Paul Dodrill Jr. who passed away in 2010. Remaining to cherish James and Mary’s memory are their daughter, Leigh Heritage (Dodrill); grandchildren, Sam Heritage (Leia Heritage), Jason Heritage (Christine Stirparo), Hannah Easlea (Heritage) (Christopher Easlea); great-grandchildren, Amelia, Eleanor, Edith, Matilda and Phoebe; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in James and Mary’s name can be made to Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation (https://www.helenkrause.org/) and Cumberland County Farmland Preservation Donation Program ( https://www.cumberlandcountypa.gov/3540/Donation-Program ).