Richard Arlan Stitzel

Richard A. Stitzel, 81, of Jupiter, Florida, and formerly of Lincoln Park and Wyomissing, died August 22, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. He was the husband of Eileen L. (Muschko) Stitzel, whom he married on September 30, 2007. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Anne (Kuhn) Stitzel (1943–2004). Born October 1, 1943, in Reading, PA, he was a son of the late William J. and Beulah A. (Naftzinger) Stitzel. Richard graduated from Hamburg High School in 1961 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg State College in 1966. He continued his studies at Kutztown State College, receiving a master's degree in education in 1970. In 1979, he graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City, where he was honored with the Faculty Award for Proficiency in Mortuary Arts and Sciences, as well as the Mu Sigma Alpha National Fraternity Academic Achievement Award. Dick was employed in education for 12 years as a secondary Social Studies teacher. He was employed with Hamburg Area School District from 1966-1968, where he also served as the tennis coach; Governor Mifflin School District from 1968-1974, where he served as a tennis coach and assistant varsity boys basketball coach; and Twin Valley School District from 1974-1978, where he served as head boys basketball coach. Dick led the Boys Varsity Basketball team to their first county championship, in the school's history, in 1977. He was voted coach of the year by both the Reading Eagle AA-A, as well as Berks Coaches Round Table in 1977. In 1979, Richard joined the family's business, Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., in West Reading. He served as Secretary/Treasurer from 1981 to 2000 and as Vice President from 2001 until his retirement in 2005. Throughout his 26-year career in funeral service, he was active in professional organizations, serving as President of the Berks County Funeral Directors Association in 1985 and as District Governor of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association from 1995 to 1999. In 2015, Richard became President of Stitzel Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., in Laureldale and Oley, a role he continued to hold with dedication. Dick was active with WEEU Radio for 10 years as a Basketball Color Analyst Broadcaster with Mitch Gerhart from 1984-1994. He was inducted into the Berks Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for Basketball in April 2000 and the Hamburg Area School District Sports Hall of Fame for All County Basketball in 1961 and All County Soccer in 1961. He was named County Tennis Doubles Champion in 1960 and 1961 and Outstanding Male Athlete in 1961. He was a life member of the Berks County Basketball Old Timers and co-chairman, along with his wife, of the Holy Name Extravaganza fundraiser in 1986. Dick was a member of Jonathan's Landing Golf Club, Jupiter, FL and attended Jupiter 1st Church, Jupiter, FL. He was a former member and usher at Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing for many years. He was also a former member of Berkshire Country Club, Reading. He enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including big and small game hunting, tennis, and golf. He also had a special talent for needlepoint, creating projects for family, friends, and charitable causes, especially in support of JL Cares Charitable Organization in Jonathan's Landing, Florida. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Eileen, are his three children: Amy L., wife of Brian Miller of Spring Township; Matthew J., husband of Rebecca J. (Simon) Stitzel of Spring Township; and Meg B., wife of Matthew Rosenberg of Chesterfield, VA. He was predeceased by a daughter, Beth A. (Stitzel) Donghia (1971-2011). Other survivors include his twelve grandchildren: Dustin S., Caitlyn K. and Jack T. Miller; Sarah J., Jacob T., Ethan M. and Matthew J. Stitzel; Grant C. and Conner G. Donghia; and Annabelle E., Molly L. and Benjamin I. Rosenberg. Also surviving is his brother, William G., husband of Anne Stitzel of Windsor Township. Services will be held Saturday, August 30th at 11:00 am in Stitzel Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale. Viewings will be held Friday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 - 11:00 AM in the funeral home. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Berks County Community Foundation, please memo, Richard Stitzel, 237 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. Contributions will be used to establish a college scholarship for students wanting to further their education. For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Arlan Stitzel, please visit our floral store.