Peter F. Scheler, 84, of Lititz, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Lancaster General Hospital, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Peter was born January 16, 1936 in Buffalo, NY. He was the son of the late Frederick Peter and Margaret (Welsh) Scheler.

After graduating Hobart College in 1958, Peter became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. He served on the USS Northampton in the Atlantic Fleet until 1962, earning the rank of LTJG. After the Navy he began his career at International Harvester in the Motor Truck Division holding various positions including Zone Manager for Upstate New York and managing each of the two branches in Buffalo, NY.

In 1974 Peter purchased the International Harvester Motor Truck branch in Erie, PA forming Five Star International Trucks, Inc. In 1982 he began a Truck Rental and Leasing business called Five Star Truck Services and Leasing which soon became a member of the new Idealease network. He grew Five Star into the premier truck dealership in Northwestern PA. In 1997 he and his sons, Fred and John, purchased the International Truck Dealership in Harrisburg, PA creating Five Star International, LLC which has grown to 8 locations throughout Pennsylvania.

Peter was named the Pennsylvania Truck Dealer of the Year for 2008. He was awarded the International Dealer Lifetime Achievement Award and International's Circle of Excellence award 12 times. He was active in the International Dealer Council and served on various professional and community boards. Peter was a member of the Lawrence Lodge #708 F. & A.M., active in the Zem Zem Temple Shrine, serving on the Director's Staff, Zem Zem Zailors, the Royal Order of Jesters Erie Court #58, the Erie Yacht Club, and many other professional and social clubs. He was a longtime member of Saint John's Lutheran Church.

Peter's favorite pastime was showing off Erie's waterfront to friends and family aboard his boat the "Sea Star" where everyone called him Capt. Pete. He also enjoyed walking the beach in his winter home of Naples, FL.

He is survived by his wife Georgette (Payette), sons Frederick and wife Julie (Teconchuk) Scheler and John and wife Michelle (George) Scheler and four Grandchildren, Allison, Peter and Andrew Scheler and Madison Monschein.

Services and interment will be private.