Christian Harold “Skip” Brackbill, son of Rev. Christian H. Brackbill Sr. and Marjorie Horn Brackbill, passed away at home on Sunday, October 22, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Lancaster PA, Skip worked at Hess Mills in Paradise PA for 40 years as he also farmed the Brackbill Family farm in Kinzers for 55 years. He grew up working on the farm with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Most of his childhood was spent in Jamesburg NJ, where his father was minister to the Presbyterian Church.
He was an active member of Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise where he served as elder and trustee, and sang in the choir.
Skip is survived by wife Marie Oliver Brackbill. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in July. Also surviving are two sons: Christian R. of Huntsville AL and Garrick O. of El Cerrito CA, as well as two daughters by marriage Celeste Morosco of El Cerrito and Alanna Frost of Huntsville, two brothers Donald L. of New Holland PA, married to Rolinda [sister of Marie], Rev. R. Thomas of Maryville TN , and brother-in-law Rev. Roger Woehl [Sheryl] of Waukesha WI. He was preceded in death by both parents, sister Mary (Peg) Woehl, and sister-in-law Pamela Thomson Brackbill.
A firm believer in community service, he was a board member of both the Pequea Valley and the IU 13 school boards for thirty years.
Skip raised cattle and, with brother Don, established a CSA at the Brackbill Farm. He worked with family and neighbors to convert the farm to organic, place the farm in an agricultural preserve, and establish a reforestation project along the Pequea Creek. Skip was especially passionate about growing sweet corn and sweet potatoes, hosting corn roasts for family and church members every summer and filling the house with potatoes every winter.
A celebration of life service will take place on Monday, November 6th at 1:00 PM at Leacock Presbyterian Church, 3181 Lincoln HWY E, Paradise. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Leacock Presbyterian Church and the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation.
