Dale E. Leckrone

Dale Eugene Leckrone passed away on May 8th, 2023 at the age of 94. He was born on December 7, 1928, in Dover, Pennsylvania, to George Webster and Lena (Kline) Leckrone. He married Betty (Hoffman) Leckrone on November 23, 1950, at Salem Lutheran Church in Dover, Pennsylvania, and the couple celebrated their 72nd anniversary last year.

Dale and Betty had four children together, including Connie Christine, who sadly passed away in 1961 at the age of 7. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and their children Marsha Jane Briggs and her husband Lowell, Joyce Elaine Gross and her husband Tom, Susan Ann Herman and her husband Jeff; five grandchildren, Jenna and Amber Briggs, Erin Gross, Kyle Herman and Leah Herman Shaffer and her husband TJ, a great-granddaughter Cameron Shaffer. He was preceded in death by his three brothers, George Jr., Elwood, and Wayne. 

Dale graduated from Dover High School in 1946, where he was the president of his class and lettered in Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer. He then went on to West Chester Teachers College, where he earned his BS in Education in 1951. He continued his education at Western Maryland University, where he earned his Master's Degree in Education in 1958, and also took additional graduate courses in a doctoral program at Penn State University.

In 1948, Dale signed a professional baseball contract as a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox, and in 1949 he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and played with Allentown in the Interstate League. He also played baseball in the York area and coached for Dover in the Central League. Dale was inducted into the Central Baseball League Old Timers Hall of Fame in 1985.

Dale served in the United States Army as a medic from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. After the service, he returned to York and became a teacher and regional principal in the Central York School District from 1953 to 1987. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Principals, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and York County Chapter of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.

Dale was also a member of Shiloh American Legion, the 13th Ward Political Club, and the Hawks Club. He enjoyed traveling with York County School Retirees, hunting in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, bowling in the Monday Seniors Bowling League at Suburban Bowlerama, and was an avid golfer and twice had a hole in one. Dale was a member of the Hayshire United Church of Christ since 1960.

A service will be held at Hayshire United Church of Christ in York on Saturday, May 13th. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 with the service to follow.  Dale will be laid to rest at the Salem Cemetery in Dover at 3:00 PM Saturday, with flag presentation by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions can be made to Hayshire United Church of Christ in York. Dale will be remembered for his dedication to education, his love of sports, and his commitment to his family. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York, is in charge of arrangements.

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