Oscar W Shupp

Oscar W. Shupp, 76, Topton, entered into eternal rest early Thursday morning, October 23, 2008 in the Lehigh Valley Hospice Unit, Allentown, after a valiant fight with lung and heart disease. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, educator and church leader. He is survived by his faithful wife of nearly 50 years, Fay E. (Dierolf) Shupp. They were married on November 1, 1958.

Born in Palmerton he was the tenth child of Jerry C. and Lizzie M. (Blose) Shupp. He was a graduate of Palmerton High School, a 1958 graduate of Kutztown University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, and received his Master’s Degree in Administration from Lehigh University. He played football for both Palmerton High School and Kutztown University. He was very active in the life of Longswamp United Church of Christ, Mertztown, until ill health prevented him from doing so. He served as an Adult Sunday School Teacher, Property Committee Chairman, a member and past president of the Consistory and a church elder. He recently was named Elder Emeritus during a special ceremony. He and his wife organized and led the first youth group of the church.

He honorably served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. Oscar’s teaching career began in 1957 at the Links one room school house in the Oley Valley School District. He served as elementary principal for the Hamburg School District for two years beginning in 1967 and continued teaching in the district until retiring in 1989. After his retirement from teaching he was employed as the pro shop manager at Rich Maiden Golf Club, Fleetwood. He assisted with the first football team at Hamburg High School where he also coached the golf team. He was an avid football fan rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was one of the organizers and coach of the former East Penn Chargers youth football teams. Other affiliations include a life member of the P.S.E.A. and N.E.A; Hamburg/Schuylkill Area Retired Teachers Assn., Vice President of the Topton Centennial Committee, member and president of the former Topton Rotary Club and a member of the former Kutztown Jaycees.

He is survived by Wife, loving Son Richard L. husband of Kathy L. (Deibert) Shupp, Topton; Granddaughter, Stacie L. Shupp fiancé of Michael Cuda, Allentown; Grandson, Michael A. Shupp, Topton; Sister Marguerite (Shupp) Heydt, Palmerton., and canine friend Jezebelle. He is predeceased by Brothers, Jerry, Harry, Roland and Herbert Shupp and Sisters, Alma Shupp, Alice Arner, Mary Reinhard and Catherine Kratzel.

Celebration of life for Oscar will be officiated by Revs. Sterling A. Schnell and David C. Newhart from the Longswamp UCC Church, 200 Clay Road, Mertztown, on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM. Interment in Longswamp Union Cemetery, Mertztown. Friends may call Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in the church.

The family requests contributions to Longswamp UCC Church Memorial Fund, 220 Clay Road, Mertztown, PA 19539. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Topton, PA.