Velma R. Schaeffer

Mrs. Velma R. Schaeffer

Mrs. Velma R. Schaeffer, 97, of New Ringgold, passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, in the St. Luke's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coaldale. She was the wife of Norman D. Schaeffer for 59 years until his passing in 2006.

Prior to retiring, she was a clerk at M & S Hardware, Tamaqua, a sewing machine operator at various garment factories, and a school bus driver and bookkeeper for her husband's business, Norman Schaeffer Busing. Together, they provided school bus transportation to Tamaqua Area School District for 26 years.

Born in West Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Emma (Steigerwalt) Hoppes.

She was a member of St. Peter's Church, West Penn, and the former Andreas VFW Post 5069 Auxiliary.

Her life was filled with family, love and faith. Velma enjoyed driving the kids to school on the bus and watching hockey on TV. She loved doing everything together with her husband, gardening, traveling to Lancaster, and taking her grandchildren to Knoebel's.

Surviving are two sons, Eugene D., and his wife, Linda, of New Ringgold, and Dennis L., and his wife, Judy, of Seffner, FL; four sisters, Grace, wife of Darwin Haas of Orefield, Madeline Fritz and Sandra, wife of Marlin Zehner, both of New Ringgold, and Helen Wilson of Pottsville; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Leon, Norman, Walter and Charles; and five sisters, Doris Cheese, Elsie Nester, Dorothy Liddic, Mary Hoppes and Eleanor Hoppes.

Service: Funeral service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10, St. Peter's Church, West Penn, 184 St. Peter's Rd., Tamaqua, with the Rev. Cliffert Herring officiating. Interment, church cemetery. Call 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 W. Penn Pike, Rt. 309, New Ringgold. Online condolences may be made at www.hartmanfuneralhomeinc.com.