Dorothy Hickok Killebrew

Dorothy Hickok Killebrew, Lancaster, PA, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on June 26, 2026, at the age of 92.

Born on September 21, 1933, in Troy, PA, Dorothy Killebrew was the child of Carrie and Edwin Hickok and was raised by Mary and Edwin Hickok. She was a big sister to twins Mary Lou and Paul, and her youngest brother, Ken. She came from a very modest background, as the daughter of a chicken farmer in rural Pennsylvania. Throughout her life, she demonstrated dedication, kindness, and a commitment to those around her.

She attended Penn State University and earned a degree in agricultural science, going on to the Theological Society. She practiced what she learned there as a missionary in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) for four years. After marrying Milton Killebrew in 1963, she was a partner with him in his ministry in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Thailand. Dorothy built her own distinguished career as a United Methodist minister and was respected for her contributions to the church community. Over the course of her career, she touched many lives with her connections to people made through her church, and her travels around the world.

Dorothy also lived her faith as a social activist and advocate for justice, presenting on these topics around the United States and the world. She was very active in both state and national politics, attending rally’s and advocating for her beliefs with her elected representatives. She raised money for various organizations through the sales of fair-trade products and contributed food for her community through her impressive garden, which she maintained until just before her death.

Beyond these professional and personal achievements, Dorothy will be remembered for her love of family, her generosity towards the needy, and the many meaningful relationships she cultivated throughout life. She enjoyed gardening, classical music, recycling, singing in the choir, and playing Scrabble. She brought warmth and encouragement to many fortunate enough to know her.

Dorothy is survived by two sons, Luther (wife Rie) and Justin (wife Libby), and her three grandsons, Kai (30), Joey (18), and Skyler (16). She was preceded in death by husbands Rev. Milton Killebrew in 1994 and Robert Neuhauser in 2025.

A service to celebrate Dorothy Killebrew’s life will be held on August 15, 2026, at 11:00am at Grandview Church in Lancaster; it will also be streaming at https://www.youtube.com/live/JSMd-sKsiF8.

In lieu of flowers - if you are so moved - please donate to a local community organization that helps women and children.