Richard B. Fluke

Richard Blair Fluke, 95, of New Ringgold, PA (formerly of Saxton, PA), passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, 2025.  Born in Saxton on August 13, 1929, he was the son of Chester & Mabel (Laudenslager) Fluke, Sr.  Dick was united in marriage to Betty (O’Neal) on September 5, 1953, and happily married for 57 years until her passing on September 3, 2010.  

He is survived by Richard B. Fluke II and wife Betty Kay (Donaldson) and Victor H. Fluke and wife Terry (Eller), all of New Ringgold, his four grandchildren, Sandra Fluke and husband Adam Mutterperl of Los Angeles, CA, Victor Wade Fluke and wife Kimberly (Fetzer) of Kempton, PA, Elizabeth Vinci and husband Andrew of Rye, NY, and Cody Fluke and wife Marie (Geiger) of New Ringgold, and his cherished great-grandchildren, Elliana, Myla, Adalyn, Claire, Caroline, Elias, and Rhema.

Dick will also be remembered fondly by his sisters-in-law Margaret (Zelanko) Fluke of Six Mile Run, PA, and Dorothy (Murdock) Fluke Coates of Port Orange, FL, brother-in-law James O’Neal and wife Connie (Wible) of Mechanicsburg, PA, sister-in-law Catherine (O’Neal) Stoudnour and husband Steve, brother-in-law Michael O’Neal and wife Mary (Hamman), and sister-in-law Donna (Figard) O’Neal, all of Saxton, and brother-in-law, Willis (Mick) Reed of Bedford, PA, numerous nieces and nephews, and by his beloved dog, Lilly.

Dick has also been reunited with his brothers, Chester Jr. and wife Shirley (Horton), and twins Robert Fluke and William Fluke and wife Patricia (Kelly), his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John O’Neal and wife Mary (Foor), Vivian (O’Neal) Reed, David O’Neal, Nora (O’Neal) Patterson and husband Kenneth, and Miriam (O’Neal) Brantley and husband Thomas.

He was a member of Christ Church McKeansburg, and previously a member of Tatesville United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Reformed Church of Yellow Creek, where he had served as President of the Consistory and Sunday School Superintendent.  

A 1947 graduate of Robert P. Smith High School in Yellow Creek, PA, Dick served in the U.S. Army as a member of the 440th Signal Battalion.  He earned the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal with 5 bronze service stars, Distinguished Unit Citation, and the United Nations Service Medal.  Dick was an automatic transmission specialist and small business owner, working at various Ford garages and as an owner-operator of both Dick Fluke’s Lawnmower Service and Betty’s Sew & So.  Before his retirement in 1988, he also worked as a Rural Letter Carrier, and served as the State Secretary of the PA Rural Letter Carrier Association and a delegate to the National Convention.  

Dick was also a three-time Past Master of Everett Lodge #524, F. & A. M, Principal of the 34th District Masonic School of Instruction, a 32nd Degree Mason of Harrisburg A.A.S.R., and a member of Altoona Jaffa Shrine. He was a Past Adjutant and Finance Officer of Saxton American Legion Post #169, member of Saxton V.F.W. Post 4129, member of the Broad Top Area Honor Guard, and Committee Member of Saxton Boy Scout Troop #71. Dick also was active with the Hopewell Food Pantry and several men’s breakfast groups.   

He was instrumental in the dedication of the PFC James E. Williams Memorial Bridge in Yellow Creek, the restoration of the WWI cannon in the Saxton Parkway, and the children’s merry-go-round at the Saxton V.F.W. Field. He was also a Luminaria Sales trophy winner for the Tussey Mountain Relay for Life. An avid traveler, Dick had visited almost every state.

Friends and family may call on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 6-8 P.M. at the Akers Funeral Chapel, 715 Church Street, Saxton, PA 16678 and on Thursday from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service at the funeral chapel.  Everett Masonic Lodge will conduct services at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at the Akers Funeral Chapel with Pastor Richard B. Fluke II officiating.  Full military honors by the Broad Top Area Honor Guard.

Internment will be held privately at Yellow Creek Reformed Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralchapel.com

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.