John R. Nixdorf, Sr,, 91

June 07, 2019

John R. Nixdorf, Sr, 91 of Lititz, went home to be with the Lord on June 7, 2019. He was born on May 16, 1928 in Lancaster, PA, the Son of the late William and Laura Spang Nixdorf. He was married to his lovely wife, Betty J. Miller Nixdorf for the past 69 years.

Mr. Nixdorf attended J. P. McCaskey High School but decided at age 17 to join the war effort and enlisted in the Navy. He later received his G.E.D during his tenure in the Navy.

John served in the Navy from 1945 to 1949 during WWII as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate and was called back to the Navy during the Korean War and was sent to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River (MD) to serve as an aviation instructor. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and American Area Campaign Medal for his service in WWII.

Mr. Nixdorf worked at Armstrong for 44 years, retiring in 1990. He started his career in the Navy Shell Operations, moved to the trucking fleet and was eventually promoted to the raw materials yard as shift supervisor. During his time there he completed an Armstrong course in Industrial Fire Fighting and served as the Captain of the Armstrong Plant Fire Brigade until his retirement. He was a respected member of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America, Local 285.

John was an avid sportsman throughout his life enjoying fishing, competitive bowling, dart throwing and most of all golf. He learned the game caddying at Meadia Heights Country Club in the early 1940’s and played competitively and recreationally throughout his life. John treasured spending time with his family and some of his fondest memories were of time spent watching his family participate in sporting events over the years. His children, Son and Daughters-in-Law, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren all maintained close relationships with John and cherish the time they spent with their Father, Father-in-Law and Paw-Paw which he was affectionately called by his Grand and Great-Grandchildren. His kind heart, sense of humor and unwavering loyalty will be remembered forever.

In addition to his wife Betty, John is survived by a daughter Susan A. Kunkle (William) of Lititz and a son John R, Jr. (Donna) of Lancaster; grandsons Todd Nixdorf of Lancaster and Christian P. Randisi (Karen) of Arlington, VA and step-grandson Dominic Kunkle (Megan) of Reinholds and step-granddaughter, Lacey Massar (Mike) of Lebanon; great-grandchildren Brianna Bradford, Brandon Nixdorf, John (J.J.) Randisi, Alexander Randisi and twin girls Kate & Erin Randisi; and step-great-grandchildren Reilly Kunkle, Brayden Kunkle and Kinsley Massar. Also surviving are two brothers, Jimmy and Herb of Lancaster and two sisters Nancy and Lenora both of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by brothers William and Frankie and a sister Sharon all of Lancaster.

Interment will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.

A special thank you to Hospice for their care and personal attention to our father. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Kindred Hospice, 4660 E. Trindle Road, Ste. 2015, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Arrangements entrusted to Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 717-560-5100