Reuel Dean Lemon

Reuel Dean Lemon slipped into the arms of Christ on Thursday, February 5, 2026 after a short illness at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. He was 93.

Dean, as he was known, was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley Pickell Lemon. He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Paul. He was the son of the late Marcus and Sara Lemon. He also had a late brother, Richard, who had lived in the Baltimore area.

Dean is survived by his oldest child, Kimberly Anne, married to John MacIver of Lancaster, and two sons, Dean Bruce Lemon of Herndon and Marcus James Lemon of Lancaster. His cherished grandchildren are Meg MacIver of Santa Rosa, California, Morgan MacIver, wife of Dan Parrish in Lancaster, and Drew Lemon and Taylor Lemon also from Lancaster. His constant companion, MoJo, the black labrador, also mourns his loss.

Dean was born in Abington, but spent most of his childhood in Herndon, Northumberland County. When Dean was four, his father suffered a fatal woodworking injury. Dean and his brother were raised entirely by their mother in a small rural town. Dean was a skilled craftsman, a genius with metal and wood, and graduated from Millersville State College with a degree in Industrial Arts. It was there he met his soul mate, Shirley. They married in 1955 and both got teaching jobs in Fairfield Adams County.

During that time, Dean also served his country in the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg as a Sergeant. He was a 32nd Degree Mason with Masonic lodge 702 in Herndon. Dean and Shirley eventually moved to Blossom Hill in Lancaster where they both taught school. Dean became the Head of the Industrial Arts Department in the Manheim Township School District. He also mentored dozens of student teachers, some of whom became his life-long friends. His true passion, though, was raising Christmas trees. He and Shirley bought a farm in Herndon and started "DEAN'S TREES”. It was a true Lancaster County tradition for hundreds of families to stop by the little stand along the Lititz Pike. There they could pick out a perfectly hand-sheared tree by Dean himself. Dean once said he knew where every tree "stood" on the farm.

Dean also was a builder of homes and patios and additions. He dabbled in metal sculpture and drawing.

Dean was kind and funny and measured and fiercely stubborn at times. He lived out the last days of his life in Herndon, on top of the Christmas tree mountain, with his son, Dean. They both took care of each other.

Friends will be greeted by Dean’s family on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 from 10-11AM, with the Memorial Service to follow at 11AM. Private interment will be at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contribution in his memory to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at the above address.