Forrest L. Bricker

Mr. Forrest Lambert Bricker, 89, of Mercersburg, PA passed away January 12, 2012 with his family by his side. He had been in poor health for several years. Forrest was born May 23, 1922, at Mercersburg, a son of the late Charlie Grover and Ida A. Yost Bricker. He attended one room schools for his education in the Mercersburg area. As a young man he worked on neighboring farms. His places of employment included Mercersburg Tannery where he sprayed leather hides. He spent 10 years at Fairchild Industries and was also a Montgomery Township supervisor for several years. He also worked for Penn Dot Highway Department for fifteen years. He married Hilda Louise Sword Bricker on October 4, 1941. They operated a farm together. From 1956 through 1966 he and his wife owned and operated a country store, Bricker's Grocery of Claylick. Forrest enjoyed farming, working with animals on the farm, hunting mushrooms in the spring was among one of his favorite things. He also enjoyed butchering on Thanksgiving Day, which was a family event. Forrest loved to cut wood in the mountain and run the power saw. He ran from job to job always enjoying working. In his later years, Forrest cared for his wife Hilda, while also hand making over 600 corn choppers and producing a beautiful harvest from his gardening. He was a member of First Church of God of Mercersburg, where he attended and sang in the choir until his eye sight became very poor. Forrest's wife of more than 65 years, Hilda Louise Sword Bricker preceded him in death on April 15, 2007. He was also preceded in death by a son, Dallis L. Bricker who died in 1989 and two brothers, Chester Bricker and Grover Bricker, and a sister, Violet Dorty. Surviving are a daughter, Cinda & her husband Bill Brumbaugh; a son, Gene E. Bricker & his wife Deby Bricker, a daughter in law, Diann L. Bricker all of Mercersburg. Five grandchildren, Terry Bricker, Troy Bricker, Tanya Bricker Gordon, Lashea Brumbaugh all of Mercersburg and Meleah Brumbaugh Grover of Genoa, NY. Four great grandsons, Cody Bricker, Dylan Bricker, Dalton Gordon all of Mercersburg and Layne Grover of Genoa. A sister, Lady Grace Zimmerman, and a brother, Wallace Bricker. Forrest is also survived by his loyal dog, Amigo Bricker. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday January 19th at First Church of God with Pastors Rick Egolf, Ernest Pletcher, and John Winkler officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Mercersburg. Viewing one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Home Care & Hospice, 2700 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Arrangements are by Lininger-Fries Funeral Home Inc., Mercersburg.