Vernon M. Hassler

Vernon M. "Vic" Hassler of Sinking Spring (formerly of Wyomissing and Whitfield) died in the Reading Hospital on Dec. 22, 2015. He was 83.

Born in West Wyomissing, he was the son of the late Martin and Edna (Manbeck) Hasser. A 1950 graduate of Wilson High School, he also attended Dickinson College and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Naval Cadets/Aviation. He served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, earned his wings of gold, and served as a 1st Lt. fighter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Korean War veteran.

He served as a TWA pilot for 31 years, retiring in 1987 as a 727 captain. He had also flown for Capitol Airways, Slick Airlines, and as a flight engineer for Northeast Airlines during furloughs from TWA.

In high school, Vernon was active in sports including football, basketball, and track, winning the District Pole Vault in 1950. He played racquetball, was an avid golfer, and traveled extensively throughout his life.

He was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Janet A. (Boyle) in 1989, and is survived by his son, Stephen A. Hassler, Sr., DDS of Wyomissing, his daughter, Ann L. Deiterich, Spring Township, and two grandsons, Stephen A. Hassler, Jr. and Bradley J. Hassler, both of Royersford. He is also survived by a sister, Anna (Hassler), widow of Paul Hirstius, Berkshire Heights. He was predeceased by a brother, Carl W. Hassler, MD, and two sisters, Arlene Stuber and Betty Jane Williams. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Betsy Hassler of Lincoln Park, and brother-in-law, Robert Williams of Spring Township, as well as three nephews and three nieces.

Services will be held Monday, December 28, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Interment will be in St. John's (Hain's) Cemetery, Wernersville. Friends may call Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army of Reading, 301 S. 5th St., Reading, PA 19602. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.

Quintessential loving husband, father, grandfather, role model, and hero.