Robert W. Schmeal Sr.

June 7, 1928 - May 4, 2020

Vernon - Robert W. Schmeal, Sr., age 91, passed away at his residence on Monday, May 4, 2020. Born in Hackettstown to the late Harry and Sarah Schmeal, Bob grew up in the Hackettstown area and has lived in Vernon for most of his life. He served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Schmeal was a founding member and Past Commander of the Vernon V.F.W. , member of the American Legion Post 213 in Sussex, an former active member of the Grange, and a former member of the Sussex Fire Department. He loved spending time around the house tending to his flower and vegetables gardens. He enjoyed his time with his family and close friends. Bob also loved having cats and dogs around him. He had been employed as a butcher for Acme Supermarkets in Sparta and Middletown, New York for several years and then had worked for the Vernon School System as a night-time custodian for fifteen years before his retirement. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen L. (Crouch) on May 6, 1985. Mr. Schmeal is survived by his son, Robert W. Schmeal, Jr. and his wife Linda of Chesapeake, Virginia; his daughters, Patricia Ann Longfield and her husband Alvin Leslie of Montgomery, New York and Sandra Lee Schmeal and her husband Kenneth Englehardt of Hardyston; his sisters, Shirley Powell and Diane Mazzela of Hackettstown; and five grandchildren. Due to government health restrictions, private burial services have been held at Pequest-Union Cemetery in Great Meadows. The family will hold a memorial service for extended family and friends in the near future. Please check the funeral home website for updated service details. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Father John’s Animal house, 50 Father John’s Lane, Lafayette, NJ 07848. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex. Online condolences may be offered to the family on www.pinkelfuneralhome.com