Ruth Anna (Lehman) Cassel

Ruth Anna Cassel, 88, of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away in the early morning of September 17th, 2025.

     She was born on March 11th, 1937 to Eber and Alice Lehman in Carlisle, PA (both passed).  She grew up with her two siblings, Robert Lehman (passed) and Doris Ann Byers, with six uncles and aunts as neighbors and all the Lehman cousins that helped her get into trouble. She attended two years of high school and two years of junior college at Messiah Bible School in Grantham, PA, where she met her future husband Wayne Cassel. Later they both graduated from Greenville College in Illinois. After marrying Wayne Cassel on July 2nd, 1960, they moved to Syracuse, NY while Wayne got his Ph.D. in Mathematics and Ruth taught elementary school. After Messiah Bible School became Messiah College they moved back to Grantham, PA, where Wayne taught at the 4 year college. Ruth was an awesome stay-at-home mom and volunteered at the college library (for over 25 years) and the Grantham Brethren In Christ Church office. She enjoyed singing alto in the Grantham Church choir, reading, and participating in book club and women's Bible study group. She and Wayne moved to Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg, PA in 2008.

     She is survived by her sister Doris Ann Byers, her husband David Wayne Cassel, their three children Cynthia Lynne Cassel and her husband Jeffrey Knightly, Kevin Wayne Cassel and his wife Adrienne, and Susan Joy MacBride and her husband Robert, plus six grandchildren Sophia Cassel Knightly, Ryan Scott Cassel and his wife Marlee, Nathan Wayne Cassel and his wife Samantha, Sarah Elizabeth Syrek and husband Brady, Robert David MacBride, and Joy Elisabeth MacBride, and one great grandchild Eliana Arial Cassel.

     A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 27th at 4 pm at the Grantham Brethren In Christ Church, 421 Grantham Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. A viewing will be held one hour prior, also at the Grantham BIC Church, with a light meal to follow the service.