Kenneth "Sam" Schappell

On December 4, 2020 Kenneth “Sam” Schappell  99 passed away peacefully at Pinebrook Personal Care Home, Orwigsburg.   Born August 18, 1921, in Cressona, he was the son of the late Clara (Wolfe) and Clarence Schappell.

Sam graduated from Cressona High School and was a member of St. Mark’s UCC Church, Cressona.

In additional to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Irma (Guldin) on February 5, 2006 to whom he was married to for 58 years and his sister Annie Eckert in 2020.  He is survived by 3 daughters, Joanna Boyer, Lancaster, Barbara Hornberger wife of John, Cressona, and Denise Gilbert wife of Michael, Schuylkill Haven. 

He is also survived by 4 grandchildren Jodie Hertz, Schuylkill Haven, Jamie Boyer husband of Annie Bethlehem, Brett Hornberger, Cressona and Naomi Reber wife of Zachary, Schuylkill Haven,  8 great grandchildren and 1 on the way. Nieces and nephews.

Sam worked hard to support his family after the death of his father at the age of 13. After graduation, he was employed by Hahn Motors in Hamburg where they manufactured fire trucks. On March 6, 1943, Sam received his orders to report for induction into the US Army. He served his country from 1943-1945 with the 8th Armored Division – 405th Service Battery in Europe. He attended Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA. In October 1944, he left Fort Polk to Brooklyn NY where he boarded the USS George W. Goethals and 11 days later arrived in Plymouth, England. In January 1945 he crossed the English Channel and arrived in Le Harve, France. From France his unit traveled to Belgium, Holland, Czechoslovakia and Germany.  In the fall of 1945 he boarded the USS Vasser Victory in Germany and sailed back to New York. He was discharged out of Fort Indian Town Gap. He told his family many stories of his time during the war including how he crossed the Rhine River and pictures of him standing in the window of Hitler’s home after it was bombed by the British in April 1945. 

After returning from the war, Sam married his wife and began working for his father-in-law at his refrigeration business. He eventually took over the business, Schuylkill Sales Co., and concentrated on plumbing and heating.  He later opened a small plastic pipe business, Manufacturing Sales Co., which his wife ran. In 1985, he sold the business and semi-retired. He continued to clean furnaces for family and friends and tinkered in his shop always repairing things and working on small projects. 

Sam loved listening to Big Band music and enjoyed dancing. He was a great dancer and was sought out by many dance partners.  In 1969, he was one of a small group of Cressona residence that built the Good Will Gun Club located in English Center, PA. In 1972, he purchased his own cabin in English Center and enjoyed his time there especially fishing season.  It was the gathering spot for many fishermen as it sat along one of the best trout streams in PA, Little Pine Creek.  Many memories were made there.

Sam volunteered many hours helping his community. He assisted with building the Cressona Swimming Pool and Baseball complex. He was very active in the Cressona American Legion and was honored at the Baseball complex as a thank you for the Cressona American Legion’s donation of the land to the Borough. He also volunteered his time at the Cressona Fire Co. #1 and Good Will Fire Co. He was a member of the Cressona American Legion, Cressona Lodge No. 222 F&AM, Good Will Gun Club, Beckville Fish and Game, Friendensburg Fish and Game and Strausstown Rod & Gun Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cressona American Legion, 1 Front Street , Cressona Pa 17929 or Pinebook Personal Care Home  C/O Activity Fund, 2 Woodbridge Rd., Orwigsburg, PA 17961.

Services will be private 

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