James W. Schoellkopf

James W. "Opa" Schoellkopf, Sr., 90, of Laureldale, passed away June 14, 2013 in St. Joseph's Medical Center.

His wife, Dorothy May (Fritz) Schoellkopf, who died November 10, 1999. They had been married for 52 years.

Born in Reading, PA, he was a son of the late William John Charles "JC" and Elizabeth Bertha Marie (Eichler) Schoellkopf.

He was a 1941 graduate of Wilson High School and attended Wyomissing Polytechnical Institute.

James was co-founder and President of Temple Aluminum Foundry, retiring in 1989.

He was a 61 year member of Teutonia Masonic Lodge 367, a charter member of Auherhan Schuhplattler Verein, a member of Pastorius Amerikanisch Deutsche Union and treasurer of Susquehanna Valley Mariners.

James was a member of Berks County Historical Society, Berks County Heritage Center and PA German Cultural Heritage Center. He was a past officer of Evergreen Country Club, Bavarian Summer Festival, Reading Liederkranz, G.T.V. Edelweiss and the Laureldale Recreational Board.

He was a U.S. Merchant Marine and served during WWII.

James is survived by his four children: Heidi K., wife of Daniel R. Moser, Mt Penn; James W., Jr., husband of Alice A. Schoellkopf, Maidencreek Township; Eric F., Sr., husband of Veronica Schoellkopf, Ruscombmanor Township and Vicki A., wife of Ronald W. Row, Jr., Temple. Also surviving are his siblings: Frieda B., widow of Donald Holtzhausen, Kunkletown; Betty M., widow of Herman Zimmerman, Mt. Pocono; Doris M., wife of Soloman Mohn, Mohnton and Sulma, widow of Robert C. Schoellkopf, Willow Street.

There are thirteen grandchildren surviving: Maria, wife of Paul Williams; Rebecca, wife of Jeremy Lutz; James W., III, husband of Elizabeth Schoellkopf; William, husband of Rebecca Moser; Ronald W. Row III, companion of Maegan Groff; Veronica, wife of Peter Littlefield; Jenny, wife of Christopher Dietrich; William Schoellkopf; Robert Schoellkopf, fiancé of Katina Kambakis; Alissa Row, companion of Jeremy Kline; Amy Schoellkopf, companion of Jan Asbell; Dorothy Schoellkopf, companion of David O'Donnell and Eric Schoellkopf, Jr. as well as five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Friedens United Church of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley. Viewings will be held Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Blankenbiller Funeral Home, 423 Main St., Oley and Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will be in Laureldale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Hawk Mountain Council, 4901 Pottsville Pike, Reading, PA 19605.

Online condolences may be recorded at www.blankenbillerfh.com.