Fern E. (Epler) Schmehl

Fern E Schmehl, co-owner and operator of Iron Horse Hobby House, a Reading hobby shop, for over 25 years passed away peacefully Nov 26 at the Chestnut Knoll Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Boyertown.  She was three weeks shy of her 100th birthday.  Fern was born in Mohnton the second of seven children to LuLu (Burkhart) and Raymond Epler. 

Fern was a 1940 graduate of Mohnton High School and married to Daniel L Schmehl Jr for more than 61 years prior to his death in 2003.  Fern was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Mohnton.

She led a very busy life as homemaker, raising two children, filling the role of occasional babysitter and mentor to six grandchildren, plus working for the Mohnton and Governor Mifflin School Districts, and a Meals on Wheels volunteer.  Fern also loved gardening, canning, sewing and in later years reading.  She was well travelled, including trips to Europe and Australia.

Fern is survived by two sisters, Marion Straw of West Lawn and Miriam Peterson of Altoona, a son Glenn L and daughter-in-law Connie of Orefield, Pa, and a daughter Linda D (Schmehl) and son-in-law John Lignelli of Boyertown.  In addition, she is survived by 6 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.        

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend her graveside service on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Laureldale Cemetery, 4631 Pottsville Pike, Reading, PA 19605, (We will meet inside the cemetery at the office, then travel together to the gravesite) Following the service, everyone is invited to a buffet luncheon at the Cross Roads Restaurant.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fern E. (Epler) Schmehl, please visit our floral store.