Debra Anne (Hartranft) Schappell, 69, passed away June 22, 2012 in her daughter's Oley residence.
Her husband, Calvin H. Schappell, died November 2003.
Born January 6, 1943 in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Franklin Peter Hartranft, City Patrolman (1947-1969) and Mary Anna (Bingaman) Hartranft.
Debra worked as a Layout Operator for Western Electric in Laureldale and then for AT&T in Muhlenberg Township for 39 years until her retirement in 2003. She was a member and representative of the IBEW Union 1898.
She loved animals and enjoyed taking her daughter to horse shows in NY, 4-H shows and quarter horse shows. She also showed dogs in obedience competitions.
Debra took her daughter and grandchildren on many educational trips to places like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Holocaust Museum, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. She also loved snow tubing, amusement parks, Halloween haunted houses and corn mazes. Her true enjoyment was her daughter, her grandchildren and her great-grandson. She even taught her grandson to drive.
She is survived by her daughter, Kim Lerch, whom she lived with; her future son-in-law, Randall J. Rothermel, Jr., who took care of her property; her grandson, Seth A. Lerch; her granddaughter, Shannan A. Lerch, who also took care of her and her great-grandson, Nero, whom she adored with all her heart. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many good friends who will miss her dearly.
Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Rd., Laureldale. A viewing will be 10 to 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Berks County, 1801 N. 11th St., Reading, PA 19604. Online condolences may be recorded at www.christfuneralhome.com.
Print Obituary