Harry E. Schaeffer

Published in the Reading Eagle on 7/14/2008

Harry E. Schaeffer, 84, Shillington, died July 12, 2008, at 2:45 p.m. in his residence.

He was the husband of Miriam A. (Madenford) Schaeffer, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.

Born in Shillington, he was a son of the late Harry E. and Naomi E. (Brendle) Schaeffer.

Harry was a high school teacher in the Cocalico School District, Lancaster County. He taught social studies, health and physical education and, lastly, driver education.

He was director of athletics for 25 years and baseball coach for 14 years, with a very successful record. He retired in 1984.

He was a 1942 graduate of Shillington High School and a 1949 graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers College.

He played professional baseball for nine years and was a member of the 1952 World Champion New York Yankees, for whom he pitched.

On Jan. 31, 1985, he received the George W. Kirchner Memorial Award by the Lancaster Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association in grateful recognition for his contributions to sports in Lancaster County.

On Sept. 27, 1986, he was taken into the East Stroudsburg University Athletics Hall of Fame and in 1992, he was inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame-Berks Chapter.

He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shillington.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, John M., and wife, Amber Schaeffer, Austin, Texas; and two daughters, Susan R., wife of Allen Dissinger, Denver, Pa.; and Sherry L., wife of William Redcay, Lincoln Park.

There are also nine grandchildren: Kelly, Ross, Stefanie, Christopher, Mindi, Todd, Jessica, Scott and Taylor; and two great-granddaughters, Haley and Alexis.

He was predeceased by a brother, Morris Schaeffer; a sister, Mary Ruthhardt; and a great-granddaughter, Amber Nicole Dailey.

Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1 E. Lancaster Ave., Shillington, with the Rev. Victor A. Kroninger officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Shillington. A viewing will be held Wednesday 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday 10 to 11 a.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Harry's memory by making contributions to American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Ave., Laureldale, PA 19605. For additional information, phone 610-777-7688.