Ernest W. Schleicher

1925-2013

Ernest W. Schleicher, 87, a resident of Luther Crest, South Whitehall Township, formerly of Mount Penn, Reading, PA passed away on February 10, 2013. He was the husband of Grace I. (Fisher) Schleicher for 57 years last September. Born in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, he was the son of the late Clayton P. and Estella A. (Wehr) Schleicher.

 He graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1943. A World War II veteran, he served in the US Navy as a Fire Controlman aboard the USS Cabot in the South Pacific. He graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1949 and was a member of Triangle Fraternity. He began a 40 year career with Metropolitan Edison Company as a summer employee in 1947, retiring as Senior Vice President of Customer Operations. Some of his many civic duties included service as treasurer of the Mt. Penn Municipal Authority, vice-chairman of the Berks County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Pennsylvania Electric Association, executive committee member and director of the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, director and trustee of the Topton Lutheran Home, and as president of the Greater Berks Food Bank. He was a member and past lay leader at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading. During retirement he became a Master Gardener, was active with the Pennsylvania German Heritage Cultural Center and was an accomplished woodworker. He resided in Mount Penn for over 40 years, before moving to Allentown in 2010.

 Survivors: Wife, Grace; 3 sons: David and his wife Barbara of Allentown and Statesville, NC; Tom and his wife Janet of Richmond, VA; John and his wife Barbara of New Freedom, PA; 7 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Naomi Padell.

 Memorial Service: 11 A.M., Monday, February 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St., Reading. Interment will be at Ebenezer Union Cemetery, New Tripoli, PA. Arrangements by Keller Funeral Homes, Inc., Fogelsville. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601 or the Greater Reading Food Bank, 1011 Tuckerton Court, Reading, PA 19605. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.KellerFuneralHomes.com.