Chloé R. Eichelberger, 89, of York passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 at her home. She was the long time companion of the late Raymond C. Knoke who was the love of her life.

Born March 31, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Ervin R. and Ruth N. (Stayman) Rhoads.

Chloé was a 1952 graduate of William Penn Senior High School, 1954 graduate of York Junior College and a graduate of Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Chloé was a member of the Out Door Country Club, Country Club of York and Regents Glen. She was an avid golfer and frequently enjoyed playing with Ray and her friends. She was also a life long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Following Ray’s retirement, Chloé and Ray enjoyed traveling the world.

Chloé was considered a trailblazer, role model, and mentor for aspiring young businesswomen and men. She began her career in 1955 as a laboratory technician with United Piece Dye Works. By 1980, Chloé had climbed the corporate ladder and was one of seven company managers who offered to buy United Piece Dye Works from its Parent Company in France. She eventually became the Vice-President in charge of operations of the new company. In September of 1987, Chloé purchased the dyeing and finishing plant in Middletown, PA from United and began her own company, Chloé Eichelberger Textiles, Inc. Chloé then became a major supplier of finely finished fabrics for men’s and women’s wear as well as the home furnishings industry.

Chloé was very involved and supported many events and charities in York and surrounding communities. She served on many Board of Directors including the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Susquehanna Bancshares, First Capital Bank of York, the York Water Company, York Foundation, York College of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Susquehanna Alliance, Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, and Memorial Hospital. She was instrumental in the decision to build the new UPMC Memorial Hospital and subsequently served on the Board of Directors as a Charter Member. Additionally, Chloé served as President of the Out Door Country Club from 1987-1991 with the distinction of being the first and only female president in the Club’s history to date.  She was a member of Women's Giving Circle of York County Community Foundation.

In addition to her involvement in the above organizations, she supported the York Symphony Orchestra. Chloé was also very instrumental in sponsoring and providing scholarships for teen girls and women through Distinguished Young Women of York County and Miss Pennsylvania.

Chloé has received many awards including the YWCA Women Who Make a Difference Award in 1996, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce Athena Award in 1996, the Easter Seals Society Power to Overcome Award in 1990, the Cornerstone Award by Lutheran Social Services in 2012 and was inducted as a member of the Central Penn Business Journal’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

Continuing with Chloé’s nature of wanting to help people succeed, in 2011 she created the first ever endowed professorship at York College, the Chloé Eichelberger Chair in Business Education, to enhance the College’s ability to prepare future business leaders. Through her gift, the college was able to establish the Chloé Eichelberger Business Education Series. She was named Distinguished Alumna for York College in 1996, received an honorary doctorate in 2009, and was also a trustee emerita of the College.

Chloé’s kindness and generosity to all her charities was not only felt throughout York County but all over the world. She touched so many people’s lives and her exemplary work ethic has helped empower many young entrepreneurs.

She is survived by her brother, Ronald Rhoads; nieces, Cindy Innerst and Patsy Barley; nephews, Ken Emminger, Ronald Rhoads, Jr., and James Rhoads; her life long friends, Kay Mooney and Diane Roth; and her close friend, personal assistant, and caregiver, Kimberley Glenn. She was preceded in death by her sisters, June Emminger, Shirley Black, and Bette Barnes; nephew, Ed Emminger, and niece, Michele Martz.  Chloe also leaves behind her beloved fur baby, Sugar Mae, and was preceded in death by Sammy Jo. 

A funeral service will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 25 West Springettsbury Avenue, York with her pastor, the Rev. Stanley Reep, officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Viewings will be held Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 1111 E. Market Street, York and Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the church. The funeral service will be live streamed. Please visit www.stpaulsyork.org or the Church’s YouTube page to access the livestream.  Additional parking will be available Thursday at York College. Please use the parking lot entrance off of West Springettsbury Avenue. York College will be providing a shuttle from the parking lot to the church.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by the Etzweiler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 1111 East Market Street, York, PA 17403.