Obituaries

Ad A. Crable III, 72

August 28, 2025

Ad A. Crable III, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a loving father, grandfather and uncle, faithful husband and family man, outdoor enthusiast and admired journalist, departed our world on August 28, 2025, after a cherished life. He was 72.

Ad is survived by his wife and partner Jennifer Kopf; three children, Dr. Allison Galer (wife of Joshua Galer), Hannah Crable, and Lena Crable; and his siblings sister Holly Graver, and brothers Trent and Brett Crable. He is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Charlene and Ad A. Crable Jr. He was beloved by his grandchildren Jackson and Ella Galer, and nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Ad had a distinguished career in Journalism after obtaining his degree from West Virginia University where he remained the university’s most avid fan. He worked for multiple newspapers in his career and was most recognized for his articles as Outdoor Editor at the Lancaster New Era for decades. His fans and readers were delighted by his storytelling and authentic approach. His work demonstrated a unique skill as a verbal artist, was admired by peers and greatly appreciated by his readers.

Ad was committed to environmental stewardship and delighted in sharing his love for the outdoors. In his later years, he wrote for the Chesapeake Bay Journal. His love for the outdoors helped shape his life and influence others. In a letter to his daughter years ago, he wrote, “My motivation was to expose you to the wonders of nature, to what is so much a part of my life. It’s something that profoundly brings me peace and shows me order and hope in a world that is often hard and confusing.”

Ad’s personal life touched many. He was often described as “one of the nicest and kindest people I know.” He possessed a ferocious curiosity and optimistic attitude. Regardless of the topic, there was an insatiable enthusiasm for it – even towards the most trivial of topics. He had a witty personality, great sense of humor and was always grateful for whatever he received. People immediately liked
Ad and found his charming innocence authentic and trustworthy. He was never more at peace than when in the pollinator garden he planted or at the family cabin in West Virginia.

Family was paramount to Ad. He was a dedicated father and loving husband. He adored all his family and was a doting grandfather and “favorite uncle”. Ad had a life well lived and all that knew him benefited.

Rest in peace dearest Ad – we love you so.

Friends and family will be received on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 1PM to 3PM at Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584. A Memorial Service will follow beginning at 3PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Lancaster County Conservancy, lancasterconservancy.org or 117 S. West End Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.

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Condolences to the Family

September 02, 2025

Peace to Ad and his family. I was fortunate to be friends with this kind, caring man, and one of his countless delighted readers, for many decades. I treasured him and will miss him deeply. He could write about a starry night, a snowfall, a wild animal, like no other. May his beautiful, lyrical stories and his spirit inspire and live on always. –Jon Rutter

September 02, 2025

My condolences to the family. Ad was an inspiring writer of nature and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his articles in the newspaper. 
Jeffrey Hauenstein

September 02, 2025

A co-worker in the room with Ad would have watched a career of shared wonder. He had a natural light. The obituary is perfect. Best lights to you, Jen & family. My father, 92 in Willow Valley, was a fan and also condoles. Douglas Harper

September 02, 2025

Jen, I never met your husband, but he sounds like such an amazing man with a youthful spirit. I know he will continue to touch your life and that of all who loved him.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this very difficult time.    Rebecca Adey

September 01, 2025

What a gift to journalism and more importantly to environmentalism, Ad was. Ad’s articles whether focused on his family, his winter camping trips, rivers, mountains, people who fight for the environment, problems that need to be addressed to save the natural world, were monumental in educating his readers about how the simple things in nature like how a rising trout can light up an angler’s hopes to how  complex issues like emerging diseases or invasive species threatening our natural world could be distilled down to restore our faith in humanity in the resolution of these environmental problems. For me, I will miss Ad and his musings, humanity and all living things have lost their hopeful fan. Always remembered Ad. John Wallace

September 01, 2025

I was so sorry to learn of Ad’s unexpected passing. Although I did not know him, I feel a kinship with him as an alum of the WVU School of Journalism and for his love of the outdoors. I know he formed strong bonds of professionaism and friendshi while in Morgantown writing for the student newspaper. May God bless the family and his legacy. Diana Martinelli

September 01, 2025

Ad Gable wrote about the outdoors , or more accurately “ nature “. in such clear and descriptive language that it was an invitation to join in . His subjects , whether outdoor activities  or descriptions of the flora and fauna  of Pennsylvania taught his readers much . Ad wrote like a novelist, with his plot an adventure in the outdoors , his stories were narratives with the details that he sensed described so that you imagined being there with him. Then you wanted to go yourself, retracing his steps and living the experience yourself. I never met, you Ad, but I always considered you a friend. May you rest in peace and your name be eternal, and the outdoors you loved. Harley Shoaff

September 01, 2025

Although I never had the pleasure of crossing paths with Ad at LNP, I read his work regularly, and always with great joy. Godspeed, Ad, and condolences to his family. Melissa Byers

September 01, 2025

Like all true nature lovers, Ad remained a student of nature even while he was an expert. Although he had many more years of experience in the outdoors than I did, he would often reach out to me for guidance with reptiles. Like every true nature lover, he knew we always had room to learn and grow with the many different fields of the natural world. He knew more than I did about many things, but he humbly accepted my assistance with anything reptile-related.
One of my fondest memories with Ad is when he discovered a trapped snapping turtle at Lancaster County Central Park. He called me for assistance because the snapper had managed to fall into an old concrete foundation that it was unable to climb out of. I met Ad at his home and we drove to the park together, to the area where he often hiked. The old foundation was full of mud and muck, and we searched through it for several minutes before finally locating the turtle. I showed him how to safely handle snapping turtles, and we walked it down to the Conestoga River together. I ended up with a wonderful photo of Ad standing in the river, holding the turtle he had gone to great lengths to save, before releasing it back into nature. 
That seemed to sum up the way Ad went through life: spending all his time and energy on conservation, and the relationships that were cultivated along the way. You will be greatly missed, Ad. Thanks for giving reptiles a chance, and thanks for everything that you shared with all of us.
Jesse Rothacker 
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary 

September 01, 2025

Jen and family,
We are stunned by Ad’s passing and offer prayers of comfort for you during these difficult days.
Love from your neighbors, Julie Z. and Joe Miller

September 01, 2025

I moved here from another part of the country and learned so much from reading his articles. He really contributed to our community and region by sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm. Diane Bridge

August 31, 2025

So sorry to learn of Ad’s passing.  Prayers for Jen, the twins, and ALL family!  God bless you and keep you.Lisa M Greybill

August 31, 2025

to the Crable family, I knew Ad for over 25 years. We often talked about our Fishing experience and stream restoration work with Donegal TU  we fished off the North Carolina coast as well as the Susquehanna flats.  He wrote several articles about Donegal T. U. And there mission to clean up local streams.  I considered Ad a good friend and will miss him terribly.Bib kutz

August 31, 2025

Dearest Jen, Hannah and Lena, 
Ad may no longer be here physically, but his good humor, kindness and goodness will continue to warm the hearts of his New Era and Intell friends and everyone else who knew him. I am so sorry he left us so early. 
Marichelle Roque-Lutz

August 31, 2025

Our deepest condolences to Jen, Lena and Hannah.  Ad was loved and admired by many.
Gloria, Kirk and Tom  Shelmerdine

Visitation
Saturday, September 06, 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home and Crematory
2421 Willow Street Pike
Willow Street, PA 17584
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Services
Saturday, September 06, 2025
3:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory
2421 Willow Street Pike
Willow Street, PA 17584
Map and Directions

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