Stanley A. Schappell

Stanley A. Schapell, 81 of Hamburg, died Jan 3 in the Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Dec.21. He was the husband of Helen M. (Hepner) Schappell, to whom he was married for 59 years. Stanley was born in Hamburg and was the son of the late Arthur and May (Hartman) Schappell. He retired from Met-ED as a lineman crew leader in 1990, after 32 years of service. Stanley was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was a faithful member of the First United Church of Christ, Hamburg. As a youth, Stanley played clarinet in the high school orchestra, Sunday school orchestra, Burkey's Band, the Shoemakersville Band and the West Reading Navy Band, and later the John Philip Sousa Memorial Band. He served on the Shoemakersville Borough Council for 12 years, six years as president. From 1968 to 1971, Stanley served as chairman of the planning commission. He served as Cub master for Pack 163 for four years and served on the Boy Scout Committee for six years. He was active in PTA and many youth groups in Shoemakersville. He served as a deacon for 10 years and elder for four years at St. Luke's Church, Shoemakersville, and also constable for the Borough of Shoemakersville. Stanley joined the Hamburg Lions Club as a charter member in December of 1970 and served as president from 1975 to 1976. He served as zone chairman from 1976 to 1977 and as a deputy district governor from 1977 to 1979. He was chairman of the Delaware Valley Eye Bank from 1979 to 1980 and was elected as District 14-P Lions International in 1980 to 1981. He also served as secretary for one year. Stanley was honored with 100% District Governor Award, attended many state conventions and seven international conventions on the club level and served on and chaired many committees. He also served on the Pennsylvania State Membership Committee from 1983 to 1987 and served on many committees on state council. Stanley had perfect attendance since the formation of the club in 1970, received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 1986, received three International President's Certificates of appreciations and received numerous other awards. Stanley was a member of the Berks County Association for the Blind, serving on the board of directors since 1982. He served on the executive committee for 10 years and as a president from 2007 to 2008. Services will be Friday at 11am at the First United Church of Christ Church, Third and Pine Streets, Hamburg with a visitation for friends and family from 10am until time of services in the church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Hamburg there will also be a viewing Thursday from 7 to 9pm in the Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home Inc. In addition to his wife Stanley is survived by son Jeffery L., Port Clinton, and granddaughter Candace L. Brobst, Center Valley. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Berks County Association for the Blind, 2020 Hampden Blvd., Reading PA 19604-1499 or the First United Church of Christ, 76 S. Third St., Hamburg, PA 19526.