Obituary of Harold L. Bechtold

Harold L. “Rocky” Bechtold, 66, of Elizabethtown, PA, passed away unexpectedly on December 15, 2024 at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.  Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Jay M. and Ruth Longenecker Bechtold.  He was the husband of Susan Hershey Bechtold for 43 years on April 11.

Rocky was baptized into the Christian faith and raised in the Mennonite church.  He attended Kraybill Mennonite School and graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School in 1975.  He was employed by the former Newcomer Oil Company and its successor, Worley and Obetz.  Most recently, he was a driver for Kelly Cadillac.  He was a daily presence at Gus’s Keystone Family Restaurant in Mount Joy.

A life member of the Rheems Fire Department, he joined the department in the early 1980s and served the fire company and ambulance service in many rolls, including EMT, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

Rocky was a talented softball player.  Over the course of 20-plus years, he played for Good’s Mennonite Church, Rheems Fire Company, Engle Printing, Pizza Town, Smith Chiropractic, and Jasonville Sox.  He also coached a number of rec league teams, including the one that his daughter played on.  At the conclusion of his playing career, he continued in the sport by serving as an umpire.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Megan Bechtold of Elizabethtown and her twin sons, Carter and Logan Bechtold, who meant the world to him.  He is also survived by four siblings, June Bechtold of Elizabethtown, Marlin (Jan) Bechtold of Mount Joy, Wayne (Debbie) Bechtold of Harrisburg, and Paul (Lisa) Bechtold of Elizabethtown; and a sister-in-law, Connie (the late J. Nelson) Bechtold of Elizabethtown.  He was also preceded in death by a sister, Marian Kanode.

The family will greet guests during a public viewing at the Elizabethtown Mennonite Church, 300 South Spruce Street, Elizabethtown, PA on Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and on Friday afternoon from 12:30 - 1:30 PM.   A graveside service with firefigher honors will take place on Friday at 2:00 PM at West Green Tree Brethren Cemetery in Elizabethtown, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 PM at Elizabethtown Mennonite Church.  If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to Rheems Fire Department, 350 Anchor Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.  To express a condolence to the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.