Ralph C. Schissler

Ralph C. Schissler, 83, of Latrobe, went to be with the Lord and reunited forever with his childhood sweetheart, Norma, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. Born Jan. 17, 1926, in Braddock, he was a son of the late George and Iva Schissler. Since age 16, he worked numerous jobs to help support his family, including Schaller's Bakery, Mark Lines Bus and Hempfield School District as assistant supervisor of transportation, from which he retired in 1991. He was a member of Calvary Temple of the Assemblies of God, and American Legion Post 515. A World War II Army veteran, he served in the European Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge, where he received a Purple Heart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lou Masters Schissler, on Jan. 5, 1997, and to whom he was united in marriage on May 8, 1946. They shared a blessed 50 years together until her death. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Jean, in 1952; a son, Jack, in 1976; as well as five brothers and three sisters. He is survived by two sons, Ralph Schissler Jr. and his wife, Janet, of Rome, N.Y., and Ronald Schissler and his wife, Sandy, of Latrobe; a daughter, Cindy Brinker and her husband, Harry, of Latrobe; a daughter-in-law, Linda Cramer; eight grandchildren, Ralph Schissler III, Jack Schissler Jr., Ronald Schissler Jr., Diane and Kenneth Hurlbut, Tammy and David Lukacs, Harry Brinker Jr., Travis Brinker and Cody Brinker; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Clyde Masters and his wife, Marge; a sister-in-law, Donna Bernard; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a faithful dog, Cuddles. Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Bruce Gorfske officiating. Burial will be in St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Township. To send online condolences, visit www.frederickfuneralhome.com.