Obituaries

Lois Rae Schaller, 92

Lois Rae Neal Schaller, 92, passed away on January 7, 2011 at Willow Valley Retirement Community. She was born in St. Louis, MO just before the end of the Great War. When WWII began, Lois enlisted and became a Staff Sargeant in the Women’s Air Force.  She was with the first group of women sent overseas and was stationed at Elveden Hall in England at the Third Division 8th Air Force headquarters.  While serving there, she met Donald Carl Schaller and they were married at St. Mary’s Church in Thetford, England in October 1944.  She was sent back to the United States with an honorable discharge while pregnant with their first son, Donald Jr.

At the end of the war, they settled in Lancaster where they raised their family.  Lois was very active in the PEO Sisterhood, Meals on Wheels, the First United Methodist Church of Millersville and many other civic organizations.

She had a great love of traveling and family.  She was active until the end, just having returned from a holiday visit to her daughter and family in Phoenix.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mabel (Reider) Neal, sister Doras M. Snarr and husband Donald C. who passed away in 1991.  She is survived by her four children, Donald C. (Sylvia) of Furlong, PA, Robert N. (Nan) of Burlington, NC., Doras A. Ladd (John) of Scottsdale, AZ and Ellen K. (Lesley) of Chicago, IL.  She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Marc D. Schaller (Allyson), Christopher N. Schaller (Cindy), Brian A. Schaller (Elizabeth), Matthew Schaller, Sarah Schaller, Ashley Ladd and Brittany Ladd and 9 great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral Service on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 12noon from the First United Methodist Church of Millersville 121 N. George St. Millersville, PA 17551 with The Rev. John Laughlin officiating. A viewing will be held at the church from 10am-12noon on Tuesday. Interment will be on Wednesday at 11:30am at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Millersville. To send the family an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 717-872-5041

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

We feel so empty, so sad, so shocked.  We miss our buddy here in Fort Myers.

God bless……….
Nancy Reese
Lois Ressler
Jack Sapper

Dear  Bob,  Don,  Doras, and Ellen,
Karen, Tim, Jamie, Alicia, and I extend to each of you our deepest and most sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mom.  We mourn for you and we mourn for ourselves.  But we celebrate your Mom’s life.  She was truly blessed!  She had a loving and devoted husband, four fantastic, loving and supportive kids, and 92+ years of near-perfect health.
 
She and your Dad, and the four of you, always made us feel a part of your family – you could not have given us a greater gift!  We cannot express how much joy and happiness we received from the time your Mom spent with us.  We have so many warm and loving memories (and pictures!) of our times together – they comfort and console us – but we miss her already!

God bless your Mom and God bless each of you!

Our love and prayers,
The Kendigs

Dear Donnie, Bob, Doras, Ellen and families,

I am deeply saddened by Aunt Lois’s passing.  She was a wonderful person, kind, benevolent and loving to all, especially her family.  Her penchant and zeal for living life to the fullest was self-evident, right up to the very end.  I feel very fortunate to have known her, to have shared time with her, to have been loved by her.  I know that I am a better person for it.  She, along with your father, were the benefactors of a special act of kindness to me many, many years ago, when I was but a stranger to the family. That act will never be forgotten, as they will never be forgotten.  Although there is great sorrow at her passing, likewise, there is great celebration for the long, adventurous and joy-filled life she lived.  We can all learn a lesson from her life, that selflessness, service, honor, loyalty, family, faith, hope, love and humility are characteristics we should all aspire to.  God rest her tender and loving soul.  She is missed.

Bill Muir  

I was saddened to read about the passing of our beloved Lois. "Mrs. Schaller" was a volunteer in my classroom for several years at Carter and MacRae Elementary School in Lancaster. She was a joy to work with, and the students adored her. She worked mainly with my 2nd graders, and helped so many to be better readers and mathematicians. I will truly miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
                              
Suzanne Donato     

Neil and I are deeply saddened on your loss.
Aunt Lois was my navigator (perhaps more ways than I realize) and she would remind me that since she was no longer driving her memory was not what it used to be.  We would laugh and I would say her memory was better than mine since I was the one would who could not remember where to make the turns.  Sometimes we would talk about how she met your father and the early years when you children were born.  I will always remember her as the classy, dignified lady that she was and I am truly blessed to have had her in my life.  I will miss her.
Bella Abugov

We are so sad to hear about Aunt Lois. She was such a wonderful person and was always so great to talk to. She was full of life and was so happy and loving. She will definitely be missed.

Love
Jeff, Kacey and Sophia Ober

Dear Doris,

We are so sorry that your lovely mother has passed away.  I have a number of fond memories of her when she joined the group for dinner or one of our outings.  Please accept our condolences and know that you are in our hearts and prayers.  Please give hugs to Dito and Brittany.

Fondly,
Mary and Robbie Michel

Ellen, Lesley & Family –

No doubt this has been an emotional week of reflection, sadness and celebration, all at the same time.  We’ll be praying for you both and your family.

With sincere condolences & love –
Kristi & Brett Elzinga

Although I have never met any of Lois’ children, I heard her speak of them often. More than 20 years ago when I first came to Lancaster, Lois and I were roommates at a PEO convention, and we often joked about it. She was such an admirable lady with such wonderful energy. I will miss seeing her and was really surprised to learn how old she was. She was a fine example to all of her friends…

Sincerely,
Penny McLean  (Homestead Village)

I am sorry for the loss of Lois. She was a wonderful lady and good friend to my mom. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Schaller family.
Kathy Ressler Kirby

We are thinking about you all as I know you will miss your precious and amazing mother.  The obituary was such a wonderful tribute to her life.

God Bless you All. 
Lugene  (Dr. Schaller’s Office)

I so sorry to hear of your loss and wanted to let you know that you are being thought of during this difficult time.

Warmest regards,
Mary Deffinger

Lois was a very special friend of my mother, Barbara Maurer, who passed away in 2009.  They were PEO friends, and both participated in many activities in Lancaster.  It was a joy for mother when Lois moved into Willow Valley as they could see each other more, however mother would laugh and say that Lois was often traveling to see her beloved children and grandchildren.
Mother related what a positive person Lois was – she enjoyed life and saw the best in others.  Although I only knew her a little bit, I remember her grand smile & delight in others.
Our lives were enriched because of Lois,
Phyllis Rumbarger

Ellen, Lesley, and family,

My deepest sympathy on your loss.  Your mom sounds like she led a wonderful, fulfilling life and she gave it her all.  We can all only hope to leave that type of legacy.

Please know you’re in my thoughts and prayers at this time of great loss.

With deep sympathy,
Janet Wheatley

So sorry to hear about the passing of such an amazing woman.  I speak for the entire Coluzzi family when I say that we all loved her very much.  The wonderful memories around her and all of you, will live our hearts  forever .  . . some pretty amazing memories!!  How honored to have been even a small part of your family and to have experienced Lois, a truly wonderful, amazing lady.  Much love and blessings to all of you.

Sincerely,
The Coluzzi Girls . . . . Mary Jo and Barbara

Deepest sympathy to the entire Schaller family.
What a great, fulfilled life she had, a role model for all!!!
She will be greatly missed by all of you!!!
We will be with you in spirit and prayer as you lean on each other for strength.

Love
Elaine and George Spence

We wish we could be with you.  Be assured of our prayers on your behalf.  Remember that with every story you tell and every memory you share, she lives on through you.

In sympathy and love,
Murray and Gwen Conzelman

Dear Donnie, Doras. Bobby and Ellen K.,

We are presently in London and remember when your Mother had dinner at our flat with Ellen K. and Lesley several years ago here in London.  She was on a trip to visit where she and your Father were married here in England. It was a fun day. 

My husband, Angelo, always reads obituaries when we are away and saw your Mother’s today.   We want you all to know that we were sad to learn of her passing and send our sympathy and prayers to all of you and your families.

Dolores(Dee Costarella)and Angelo Costanzo

Ellen and family,

I have very fond memories of your Mom and being at your home while growing up.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

God bless,
Tish Esbenshade-Smith

We were so sorry to hear of Lois’ death.  She was always so alive and full of energy.  We spent many hours in her company at The Landings in Fort Myers over the space of eight years.  She was thoughtful, upbeat and so very kind to everyone.  She will be missed by her friends and family.

Another one of our "Moms" is gone.  We send our love to you all, and are filled to the brim with thoughts of sadness, but also thinking with deep gratitude of Lois’ abiding joy.  God bless you all,
Anne and Craig Linn and family

I still find it hard to believe that "mom" isn’t with us anymore. She always had a special place in my heart, as I’m sure, with everyone that ever met her!She was such an example on how we should live life with grace, poise, humility,compassion and love of God and family. I will miss her smile and laugh most of all! All my love to Doras, Donnie, Ellen and Bob.

Fran Visalli

Don and Sylvia,      
My memories of your Mom are very vivid.  A beautiful smile  a kind word   a very positive woman    she will be missed  she will get to meet my  Snookie they can now pray for us 

Pat Duffy

I am so sorry for your loss.

Lois was a great friend at First United Methodist Church.  She was always so warm and caring, so ready to give out her beautiful smile abundantly.
 
She will be missed!

Love & blessings,
Diane Duell

Donnie, Bobby, Doras and Ellen,
I am heart sick to learn of your mother’s passing.  She was one of the happiest, most loving and giving people I have ever known.  My mother loved her dearly.  One comforting thought – she and your dad will be reunited.  What a love story they were – and will always be.
I regret that I can’t be there tomorrow to share in the recognition of a life lived so extremely well!
With love and prayers,
Lynn Kirk Hunter

Your Mom was such a great friend to our grandmother, Velma, for as long as i can remember.  Mrs. Schaller was one of the most sunny, happy people we have ever known.  She may have been 92 but she went like she was 52.  What a spirit!

God bless.
Jeff and Kathy Kirk

Dear Ellen & Lesley,
May you have a "celebration" of her life this week!  My prayers are with you.  God Bless.
Betty Fix

Dear Donnie and Sylvia,

I just wanted you both to know how very sorry I am for your loss.  Your mother was very loved.   Dottie and Tom thought of her as a mother and were blessed to have her love.   Your mother and your family will be in my prayers.

Joanie Buckius

Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info