Allen R. Fasnacht, Funland co-founder
Allen R. Fasnacht, 96, of Hershey, Pa., died peacefully surrounded by family Sunday, March 23, 2025. He was born Nov. 10, 1928, in Derry Township, Pa., to the late Allen M. and Esther Snavely Fasnacht. Al was a graduate of Hershey High School, Hershey Junior College, and Penn State University.
In 1949, he married the former Jean Walmer, whom he met in kindergarten. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. In 1956, after working in accounting, Al and Jean, along with his parents, his brother Don, and Don’s wife Dee, purchased Willow Mill Park in Mechanicsburg.
In 1962, the family purchased the former Sports Center on the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, renaming it Funland, where Al worked for the rest of his life. It brought him great joy as he worked with hundreds of employees and many family members, teaching strong ethics of fairness, hard work, and the Golden Rule. For over 60 years, Al was a cornerstone of Funland, not just through his dedication to the park, but through the countless meaningful and lasting connections he built with guests, employees, and the community. Al had a truly profound impact on so many people, and he did it quietly, with humility and kindness.
Al was also very active in Scouting, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, leading Troop 203 as scoutmaster for over 20 years, and receiving the Silver Beaver award in 1968.
A devout man of faith, he was deeply involved in the life of Hershey First United Methodist Church where he and Jean raised their family and where he served as Sunday School leader, choir member and finance committee member.
Active in Prison Ministry, Al faithfully visited and wrote letters as he developed relationships over the years with those incarcerated. He was also a longtime member of Hershey Rotary Club, Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame, and Pennsylvania Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame.
Al’s career in the wrestling world included wrestling for Hershey High and Penn State as well as officiating 468 PIAA/NCAA matches and 76 tournaments, eight of which were NCAA Championships. He later was a volunteer coach at Lebanon Valley College. He was inducted into the District III Wrestling Hall of Fame, PIAA Wrestling HOF and the PA Chapter of the National Wrestling HOF.
One of Allen’s greatest joys was spending time with his children and grandchildren on family vacations to Capon Springs, W.V., and Hilton Head, S.C. He was predeceased by his wife, Jean, in 2013. He is survived by a brother, Don Fasnacht; three children, daughter, Gail (William) Henschke; sons, Craig (Cynthia) Fasnacht, and Neil (Barbara) Fasnacht; three grandchildren, Erin (Christopher) Darr, Mark Henschke and Lauren (Gregory) Golaszewski; and five great-grandchildren, Emma, Abigail and Caroline Darr, and Beatrice and Henry Golaszewski.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 3, at Hoover Funeral Home in Hershey, Pa. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 4, at Hershey First United Methodist Church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hershey First United Methodist Church, 64 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, Pa.
Share condolences with the family at hooverfuneralhome.com.
