Dr. John A. Noel, “Daddo” passed away peacefully on December 21, 2016. He was 99 years old and a parishioner at St. Theresa in Phoenix, Arizona and Sacred Heart in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He loved Notre Dame football, college wrestling, reading and a tough cross-word puzzle. John was preceded in death by his father Larry Noel, mother Emma Buckwalter Noel, wife Yvonne Gardner Noel, his brothers Larry and Tom and his sisters Kathleen and Ann. He is survived by his three sons Greg (Gina), Andy (Betsy) and Steve (Donna), his second wife Virginia and her daughter Lynn (Rod), his three grandchildren Jonathan, Amanda and Peter and his two step grandchildren Walker and Shannon. John was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1917 and moved to Lancaster, PA at an early age. During the Depression he went to live with Dr. Gregory and Margaret Noel Chadman after his mother passed. While in Lancaster, he attended Boys High (McCaskey) and Franklin & Marshall College. With less than a year to go to graduate, he joined the Army Air Corp and served with the 92nd Bomb Group in England, eventually serving as the Field Executive Officer. Following WWII, he completed his undergraduate degree at Mt. Saint Mary’s College in Maryland, then graduated from the University of Maryland dental school in 1951. He practiced dentistry in Lancaster into his 70’s when he retired after sharing dental office space with the late Dr. Anthony Patterson. Following Yvonne’s passing in 1996, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona and lived with his son Steve until he married Virginia Klemme. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren living throughout the country. His family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley and Home Away from Home for their loving care. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 10:00 am at Saint Theresa Parish, 5045 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85018. He will be interred in Lancaster, PA at a later date this spring. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution in his name to the Hospice of the Valley or the Franklin & Marshall wrestling program.
Agnes Scholl
Dear Virginia, Greg, Andy, and Steve, My heartfelt condolences to you. What a fine man, dentist and family friend Dr. Noel was. I loved that he always sang as you entered his examining room. He affectionately called me “Agnus Dei” for as long as I can remember. It was always a treat to see the Noel’s at family parties, picnics and weddings. We are lucky to have such happy memories of good family friends. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Fondly, Agnes Rowan Scholl
Mark Blair W. Lombard
Dr. Noel put the “great” in “The Greatest Generation.” I never heard him utter a cross word (and, believe me, I gave him plenty of opportunities sitting in his chair).
At my last check-up, the dentist and hygienist went out of their way to compliment my teeth and in what good shape they’re in. That’s no accident…thanks, Dr. Noel!
Ann R. Humer (Conroy)
Dr. Noel had his office on King Street in Lancaster PA. Our whole family was his patients. My father was John Conroy. He worked at RCA in Lancaster. Sorry for your loss.
Thomas G. Simpson
I have many fond memories of Dr Noel. I now live on State Street and think of him often when I see 445. What a good man, and what a wonderful friend he was to my father Roger!