Francis O'Rourke (1927-2022)

​Cpl. (Ret.) Francis N. O'Rourke, 94, of Palmyra, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon. He was born Sunday, May 22, 1927 in Archbald to the late Francis A. and Anna (Burg) O'Rourke. He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly A. (Richards) O'Rourke.

Francis was a proud Army Veteran serving in Japan during WWII. He served as a PA State Trooper, enlisted May of 1951 and for most of his 35 year career, he was assigned to the PA State Police Academy, Bureau of Training and Education as an equestrian instructor. He was also a member of the Mounted Color Guard and participated in thousands of parades and ceremonies throughout the Commonwealth and several other states. He won numerous awards in horse competitions. He also played an active role in the PA State Police Rodeo and participated in the opening ceremonies for the Farm Show for 34 straight years. He was a faithful member of the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Hershey and was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his children: Diane O'Rourke-Bankus and husband Brent, Francis J. O'Rourke and wife Sally, Maureen Irvin and husband David, Patrick M. O'Rourke and wife Lori, and Eileen O'Rourke; grandchildren, Maura Bankus, Michael O'Rourke and wife Sheila, Danny O'Rourke and wife Tara, Katie Heberling and husband Jon, Kelly Irvin, Brian Irvin and wife Katie, Patrick M. O'Rourke, Jr., and wife Ashley, Keeghan P. O'Rourke, and Briana Long; great grandchildren, Aidan, Maeve, Caleigh, Harper, and Reese O'Rourke, Spencer Heberling, McKenna Irvin, and Reaghan and Remington O'Rourke.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 11 AM at the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 W. Areba Ave., Hershey, PA 17033 with Rev. Joshua Weaver officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from 5 PM until 7 PM at the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078. Burial will follow the mass on Thursday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA with full military honors.