Luther H. Ammarell

Luther H. Ammarell Jr., 92, passed away on June 8, 2024, at Mifflin Court where he resided since Jan 2024. Prior to that he and his wife shared a home in Blandon PA. He was the devoted husband of Joan C. (Kauffman) Ammarell. They shared 67 wonderful years together. Luther is known as "Robin" by family and friends from childhood days.

Luther had a deep love for his family. He cherished time spent with his daughters and grandchildren. He was a wonderful "Poppop" and Uncle Robin and gave the family memories to cherish. In addition to his wife, Joan, those left to treasure Luther's memory are his daughters: Linda A. Kelleher, and Janet E. Hangen-Batturs - wife of Jeffrey Batturs; and his five grandchildren: Megan, Kristen, Alison, Jake, and Max. Luther is predeceased by his brothers: Robert, Richard, and William; and infant child, Mildred.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Mary E. (Sponagle) and the late Luther H. Ammarell Sr. His family was the proud owners of "Ammy's, a little candy and ice cream shop in Northwest Reading. Luther graduated from Reading High School in 1950. He then attended and graduated from Millersville State Teachers College in 1954. In 1955 he entered Fort Dix and prior to being stationed overseas, he and Joan were engaged. They were married in 1957. He was discharged from the military in 1962 and received a Good Conduct Medal. He earned a master's degree in education from Kutztown University and went on to study computer science at Albright College.

Luther taught Math in the Reading School District for almost 40 years. He taught Math and was an admired and successful coach at Southern Junior High and then went on to help initiate Computer Programming into the curriculum at Reading High, where he taught Math and Computer Science until he retired in 1993. Luther had a love of sports. He played baseball in both high school and college, as well as coached baseball, basketball, and football at Southern Junior High School. He was well known for teaching players the sound fundamentals of their sport (as well as the proper polishing of their baseball spikes!).

Not too many years ago, you could find Luther outside gardening or enjoying a daily walk or "jog". In the last 2 years of his life he was honored by having many of his former athletes join him to celebrate his 90th birthday in May of 2022, and again in 2023 when he was inducted into the Southern Junior High Hall of Fame. He gave an awesome speech recalling many players' names and great highlights of the plays they made in their many city school championships.

Luther was also a Berks County Umpire. He "umped" countless baseball and softball games all over the county. He really loved umpiring the "Sunners" softball fast pitch games with his partners. He was a member of the Berks County Umpire Association, Reading Berks Basketball Association, Reading High Basketball Squires Club, and PIAA for many years.

The memorial service will be held on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Kuhn Funeral Home & Crematory, 5153 Kutztown Rd, Temple PA 19560. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service with internment to follow at Good Shepherd Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a donation in Luther Ammarell's honor to the:

Reading High Squires Club

c/o Brian Benkert

1513 Durwood Court Reading PA 19609

Kuhn Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. is honored to serve Luther's family. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.