Ethel M. Fegley, 86, passed away peacefully at the Richfield Healthcare and  Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. She was born at her family home in Richfield, Pennsylvania on June 6, 1939. She was born the daughter of the late Luther B. Fegley and Alda (Feltman) Fegley-Taylor. Ethel attended Greenwood High School before attending the Philadelphia General School of Nursing to pursue her nursing diploma. After school, she remained in Philadelphia until enlisting in the Army, where she proudly served as a nurse in the Vietnam War. She was later stationed in Texas, California, and Germany. After her time in the service, Ethel worked at the Lebanon VA Hospital. She later returned to live in her family home with her sister, Marian, and worked the remainder of her 50+ year career in local nursing homes.
During her time in the service, Ethel earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and earned various medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. In addition to being a proud Army veteran, Ethel was an avid animal rights activist, working with the Lebanon Humane Society for many years, and donating to countless rescues and organizations. She had many pets through the years, with her most recent being her beloved cats, Dale and. Charlie.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, brothers William “Bill” (Betty) Fegley and Charles Fegley, and sisters Marian Hartman, Susanne Willow, and brother-in-law Joseph Losch. She is survived by her sister Nancy Losch and brother Richard (Gayle) Fegley and brother-in-law Dale Willow. Ethel is also survived by many generations of nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. Also surviving is Ethel’s caregiver and friend, Vera Musser.
Services will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at St. Peter’s Community Church (32 St Peters Rd, Millerstown, PA 17062) with the Rev. Brittin Stimeling officiating. A viewing will take place at 2:00pm followed by a funeral at 3:00pm. Interment will take place in the adjoining cemetery following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Peter’s Community Church or Perry County Animal rescue.