With the closure of Kichline’s Service Station, Hellertown mayor and borough council honored the longstanding family business and named June 4 as “Dale and Virginia Kichline Day” in Hellertown. The couple recently retired and closed the station permanently.

Dale and Virginia Kichline have operated Kichline’s Service Station since 1961 at 193 Front St. in Hellertown. The couple were married in 1959 and later purchased what was a Texaco station at the time. To get the business going, they sold Virginia’s car to purchase their first tow truck.

Over their 57 years in business, they’ve offered auto repairs, towing, state and emission testing, tire service, along with many other auto related services.

As a family business, their children have also been actively involved over the years. Their son Kevin has worked on the mechanical side for 33 years and their daughter Keri has worked there for 28 years.

The business also grew when the couple purchased the former Geyer Tire and created Kichline’s Tire and Auto Parts located at 20 West Pine St. in Hellertown. Daughter Keri has also managed the tire and auto center.

Over the years, they’ve often operated around the clock. This was not lost on Mayor David Heitzelman.

“You have been out 24/7 many times, and we as a community really appreciate that,” Heitzelman said, speaking to the family. “We’re going to miss you.”

With Kichline’s being the police department’s towing provider for decades, borough council has elected to begin using Saucon Collision as the new towing provider for the borough.