Edward J. Schneider

Edward J. Schneider, II, 88, known affectionately by family and friends as “Dewey”, died on Saturday afternoon, July 3rd at Columbia Cottages in Palmyra, PA. He was born on July 13, 1921 in Lebanon, PA the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Schneider, I. Dewey graduated from Lebanon High School in 1939 and began working for Metropolitan Edison in 1940. Following Pearl Harbor, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy during WW II and served with distinction aboard the USS Fitch (DD-462) in the Atlantic theater. He along with the rest of the crew of the Fitch participated in the D-Day invasion. Besides drawing out and silencing German batteries prior to the landing on D-Day, the Fitch also rescued the survivors of her sister ship the USS Corry which was sunk alongside the Fitch. Following the allied victory in Europe, BM1 Schneider was reassigned to the Pacific theater aboard a minesweeper. He received several ribbons and medals during the war and in 1998 he was awarded the Jubilee of Liberty Medal from the people of France for his participation in the D-Day invasion at a ceremony in the Dauphin County Court House. Once he was honorably discharged from the Navy at the end of 1945, Dewey resumed working for the Lebanon branch of Metropolitan Edison. He worked his way up the company ladder until in 1970 he was promoted to District Manager which required him and his family to move from Annville to Middletown. He continued at that position until his retirement in 1983. He moved to the Hygate community in Hershey upon retirement and remained there until moving to Traditions of Hershey a few years ago. Dewey was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Hershey, the Annville American Legion Post 559, Hershey Italian Lodge, Annville and Middletown Rotary Clubs, and the Middletown Elks. He was and avid Notre Dame Fan, tennis player, and golfer scoring his first hole in one at the age of 80 years. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sara and is survived by daughter Linda wife of Thomas Starry, sons Edward Joseph, III husband of Tee Schneider, Gregory J. Schneider, and Michael D. husband of Sheryl Schneider, a brother John Schneider I and sister Marylou Sherman. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and friends and relatives too numerous to mention. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM from St. Paul The Apostle Church, 125 S. Spruce Street, Annville. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 – 11 AM prior to the service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Asera Care Hospice, 315 Primrose Lane-Ste. 101, Mountville, PA 17554 or Columbia Cottage, 103 N. Larkspur Drive, Palmyra, PA 17078. PDF Printable Version

Edward J. Schneider

July 13, 1921 - July 3, 2010