Donald Luke Schlager, 77

Donald Luke Schlager, 77, of Lancaster, passed away on July 11 surrounded by the love of his family. Don was born in his family home on Laurel St., in Lancaster to the late John P. and Helen C. Kolb Schlager.

At the age of 17, Don enlisted in the Army Air Corps, was trained in San Antonio, and stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska. He worked with airplane sheet metal and fuel transport between Anchorage and Fairbanks. He was a flight engineer and became a Carbine Sharpshooter. Don enjoyed every aspect of the Alaskan frontier, from the scenery to hunting to the antics of sled dogs. He reveled in retelling stories of his Alaskan adventures. He left the Air Corps with a family medical emergency discharge to take care of his father.

When Don returned to Lancaster, he met and married Mary Elizabeth Sites of Feb. 3, 1951, and recently celebrated their 56^th wedding anniversary.

For 44 years, Don was employed by Armstrong World Industries beginning as a skilled worker in the block shop and moving to assignments in the yard department and then to truck driver. As part of the Armstrong Fire Brigade, Don was a member of the plant’s emergency response team. He was a trainer of handling HAZMAT and the use of fire equipment.

He was also very involved in the Lancaster Officials Club, working swimming and track and field events for over 30 years until 2005. He volunteered for 25 years training lifeguards for the American Red Cross and teaching swimming lessons. He enjoyed target shooting and competed as a member of the Lancaster Archery Club. He also drove ambulance for St.Joseph’s Hospital. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish and in the past was a member of the choir.

His hobbies include repairing his and his family’s many cars, including classic Mustangs, gardening, and helping his family and friends wherever he was needed. He also enjoyed his membership in the Lancaster Liederkranz.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary; three sons: John and his wife Janis of Ohio, Mark and his wife Charlene of New Jersey, and Matthew of Lancaster; three daughters: Helen and her husband Peter Husty of Delaware, Eileen and her husband John Hoover of North Carolina and Elise of Lancaster; 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister, Ruth Ettner and his brother Robert. In addition to his parents, his brother J. Kenneth and his sisters, Marie Darrenkamp, Clair Rice, Ann Schlager, and Kathleen Grassel precede him in death.

Friends will be received on Sunday from 6-8PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA, with the recitation of the Rosary at 730PM. Friends will again be received on Monday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 554 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, from 10-11AM, with Mass to follow at 11AM. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Don’s memory to the American Diabetes Assn., 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 202, Harrisburg, PA  17110.