Lance Hodell

Lance Donald Hodell of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 18th surrounded by his loving family after succumbing to Alzheimer’s at the age of 81. A native “Jersey Boy” at heart, Lance was born the youngest of three boys on July 11, 1938. He grew up on a tree-lined street in Hawthorne, NJ, working on cars, racing cars with his brothers, and leading the Hawthorne Bears as captain of the football team. Lance is preceded in heaven by his parents Albert and Marie Hodell, his older brothers Norman and Bill, and his nephew Steven Hodell. Upon graduating from high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps briefly, but was a loyal Marine his entire life…the epitome of Semper Fidelis. After his time in the service, Lance married Ruth Ellen Madsen of Cornwells Heights, PA, and they were married for nearly sixty years. He is survived by his loving wife, his daughters Kimberly Hodell-Soto and Suzanne Hodell Popielec. His grandchildren Matthew and Ashlie Lance, Bradley Wang, Brandon and Abigail Haze, Douglas and Annie Wang, Mitchell Popielec, and Colby Popielec. A proud great-grandfather who loved all babies and children with a playful kindness, he is also survived by great-grandkids Daphne Haze, Phoebe Haze, and Maverick Wang. Lance worked as a machinist at Rohm & Haas in Philadelphia for thirty-six years, dedicating himself to making a good life for “his girls” and volunteering as a firefighter and EMT to serve his coworkers. When he wasn’t working, Lance loved the beach at Seaside Park, Indy car racing in person or on t.v., vintage cars, grilling a steak in the yard, and (most importantly) his family. He never met a stranger or a cat he didn’t like and loved to socialize. He was a good friend and neighbor with a generous heart and a warrior spirit. Lance had an infectious laugh and liked to make up silly words to amuse his family. He was an uncomplicated man with a heart of gold. It is an understatement to say he will be missed beyond comprehension by each heart left behind. Viewing will be held at Bensalem United Methodist Church on Thursday from 10:00AM-11:00AM followed by his service at 11:00 AM. Interment at Rosedale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in honor of Lance to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to the Marine Corps League Scholarship Program by visiting http://pamcleague.org/.