Obituaries
A. Leroy “Skip” Mellinger, 86
December 08, 2020
A. Leroy “Skip” Mellinger, 86, of Lancaster, passed away on December 8, 2020 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Amos and Mary Mellinger.
Skip spent most of his life as a builder and developer and was the owner of Huntington Homes Builders in Lancaster. Some of his developments include Mill Creek Estates near Landisville and Summit Hills Development in Mountville. In addition he owned numerous rental properties where his tenants became friends and many rented from him for over 30 years.
He will be fondly remembered for his love of being on the water. He enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake and kept his boat at Baltimore Inner Harbor for more than 34 years. He also enjoyed jet skiing, riding motorcycle, and riding his Segway. Until 2018 Skip spent several months out of the year living in his motorhome at West Palm Beach, Florida.
Skip was a unique individual and had a sense of humor that will be missed by all who knew him. He was very generous. Over the years he donated to numerous charities. He viewed himself as a steward of the money he earned, and helping others played an important role in his life. He supported Water Street Rescue Mission with real estate donations, purchased a used DC-3 plane for Missionary Flights International, bought a large touring bus for a Christian college, and donated a water tank truck used for supplying clean drinking water to underdeveloped nations. Having been raised in the Mennonite church he also supported charities like Mennonite Disaster Service and various mission projects. These were but a few of the organizations for which he provided extensive funding.
He is survived by his siblings: M. Arlene Mellinger Yager and Robert Mellinger, husband of Barbara, all of Lancaster, and his nephew T. J. Mellinger, husband of Dr. Johnna Mahoney living in New Jersey.
Interment will take place at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will be planned for the spring or summer of next year. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to some of Skip’s most beloved charities: Water Street Rescue Mission, or Mennonite Disaster Service
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
December 16, 2020
Skip and Dick go back a long way as friends. In fact way back in 1982 Dick took a dive off Skip’s boat and broke his neck and had always kept in touch. Dick was saddened a long time friend passed…Our condolences to his family.
Dick/ Joyce Dusman
December 15, 2020
Skip was a friendly, kind, and honest man. I rented an apartment from him on Yale Avenue for several years. When I purchased a home, I asked Skip over to check the place out, he did and gave us his blessing! He was sorry to see us leave he said because “you always pay your rent on time” What a man! He WILL be missed. Ken Stewart.
December 14, 2020
To Skip’s family from all of us in his Classic GMC motorhome family are sending our condolences.
Kenneth B Smith
December 14, 2020
Skip was unique, gifted, hardworking, and successful, but also had his human moments. He respected his employees and subs which resulted in a loyal team. We used many of his ideas to shape our own team years later. He paid his bills which was big. When the cash flow slowed he gave us a building lot to pay the bill. As an 18 year old nobody he came into his Wheatland Diner for lunch, sat down beside me, and then paid for my lunch. That made an lasting impression. He also taught me not to take myself too seriously even when you are successful. “Give to others to get the best for yourself”. Skip was a mentor to me by example before I even knew what that was.
Joe Ranck
December 14, 2020
To the family of Skip – our deepest sympathies for your loss. Skip was a kind, generous man who demonstrated his kindness by putting others first. You will be in the prayers of teh staff at Capstone Legacy Foundation.
December 14, 2020
Skip’s family and ours were neighbors and close friends in our growing-up years. Years later when we returned from East Africa, he helped us buy one of his lovely houses in the Mill Creek estates. Such a generous and humble person. Fond memories. My condolences to you, Arlene and Bob.
Anna Ruth Jacobs
December 13, 2020
Skip was best man at Nancy and my Wedding June 4 1955. Will always remember Skip as a good friend .
December 13, 2020
Met “Skip”through a mutual friend, Ken Smith, Met At The Black Olive Restaurant In Columbia.
We Have A GMC Motorhome as does our mutual friend and Skip.
Our Prayers and Condolences.
Steve & Charlene Stokes
December 12, 2020
Had the pleasure to have known Skip for 46 years & considered him as my best friend from Lancaster. Been living in York, PA since 1981 but have kept in touch with Skip ever since. We had many good times in his company & would hope that he considered me a close & trustworthy friend, someone he could count on. He will be sorely missed. May he R.I.P.
Jack Epstein
December 12, 2020
Always enjoyed chatting with Skip.
John Stehman
December 11, 2020
Skip was a friend of Hobe Sound Bible College in Hobe Sound, Florida. He spent several winters at Vacation Inn Resort in West Palm Beach, Florida and it was there that he heard our college choir sing. He loved their music and attended many concerts on our campus. He helped purchase a coach for the transportation of our choir to singing engagements and he supported many other projects on our campus. He was truly a friend and we will miss him!
Dr. Daniel Stetler
