Kenneth Wayne Rishel, 87, of Smithfield, Pa., passed away Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, at the Uniontown Hospital. Born in Uniontown, Pa., on Nov. 5, 1934, he was raised in the Farmington, Pa. area, the son of the late Enos Eberette Rishel and Mildred Conway Rishel Caton.
A 1953 graduate of the Uniontown High School, he was retired from Anchor Hocking Glass in Connellsville, Pa. Following his retirement, he worked as a greeter and funeral assistant at the Herod Funeral Home, where he made many friends and enjoyed visiting with people. He also assisted Tom Ryczek, and became quite skilled working with him as a brick and stone mason. Wayne had a great sense of humor and always loved to tell a story. He enjoyed gardening and tried every year to have the first ripe tomatoes. Wayne was a member of the Smithfield United Methodist Church.
A recent member of the F & AM Valley Lodge 459 in Masontown, Pa., he was proud of his Masonic memberships and was honored in 2017 by receiving his 50 year pin from the PA Grand Lodge, which was presented to him at his home lodge of Stony Point — Wawayanda Lodge No. 313 in Sparkill, N.Y.
Surviving are his two daughters, Melodi Humbert, of Carmichaels, Pa., and Wendi Dice and husband Michael, of Smithfield, Pa., with whom he made his home; six grandchildren and their spouses, Melissa (Todd) Harmon, Rachael (Bill) Reynolds, Sarah (Daryl) Penn, Amber (Josh) Darnell, Zachary (Sarah) Dice and Joshua Dice; five great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Carol Kingan, of Smithfield, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
His wife, Melrose (Kingan) Rishel passed away on March 22, 2005. Also deceased is a grandson, Cody Dice, and a brother-in-law, Gilbert Kingan.
Friends will be received in the Richard R. Herod Funeral Home, Point Marion, Pa., from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. on Thursday. Private services for his family will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, with the Rev. Kenneth Haines officiating. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Pleasant View Cemetery, Smithfield, Pa. Due to the current health situation, all visitors are asked to wear masks in the funeral home.
Masonic services by Valley Lodge 459 will be held in the funeral home, at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Amedisys Hospice, and to all at Horizon Personal Care Home for the love and care shown to Wayne during his illness.
Condolences:
www.herod-rishel.com
