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William Labenberg Obituary
William H. Labenberg, 76, of Emmaus passed away Monday, November 28, 2011 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Judith K. (Schmoyer) Labenberg. They were married 55 years this past August.Born in Allentown on January 3, 1935 he was the son of the late Woodrow W. and Helen (Appel) Labenberg. Bill was a health and physical education teacher in the East Penn School District for 32 years and for most of those years served as public address announcer for sporting events retiring in 1995. He was a 1952 graduate of Emmaus High School, West Chester University in 1956 and received a masters in education from University of North Carolina in 1957. He was instrumental in establishing one of the first public elementary sex education programs in the state. Bill was an avid gardener, painter and assisted his family at the Schmoyer Funeral Home for over 50 years. A member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Emmaus, he served many years on council and as Vice President. He was former chairman of the social ministry committee and taught confirmation class. His expressed his Christian ministry as a team leader preparing and serving meals monthly for the daybreak program. Bill also was a board member for the South Lehigh County Chapter of Thrivent. He formerly volunteered for Planned Parenthood and served as panel monitor for Impact Project, Inc. Survivors: Wife, Judy; sons W. Scott and wife Patti of South Whitehall, Christopher D. and wife Kimberly of Fogelsville, Peter A. and wife Laura of Wantagh, NY; sister Diane, wife of Richard Stoudt of Kansas City, MO. A devoted Pop Pop to Jessica, Katie, Amanda, Zachary, Christian, Victoria, Angela, Brooke, Taylor, Lindsay, Gianna and Xavier. He was predeceased by brothers Stanley and Larry. Services: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2011 in the Schmoyer Funeral Home, 8926 Brookdale Road, Breinigsville. Call 9:30 to 11 a.m., Saturday. Interment will conclude services at St. Pauls Union Cemetery, Trexlertown. www.schmoyerfuneralhome.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made St. Johns Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut Street, Emmaus, PA 18049.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Labenberg
Melissa Berrell
December 19, 2011
Kim: Your father in law sounded like a great man who touched many lives. I'm sure he will be deeply missed. My condolences to you and your husband at this difficult time. ~Your Navy Family~
Merle Conner
December 9, 2011
To all the Labenberg Family,
May you find peace and comfort in sharing your many happy memories. We will always remember Bill fondly as a fellow teacher in East Penn.
Betty & Merle Conner
Anne Zayaitz
December 8, 2011
Scott, Chris, Pete, Judy, and all your family,
I hope that fond memories will help heal your heart.
Your dad will always be 'my next door neighbor" who kept beautiful gardens, an immaculate lawn, knew all the words to "go you chicken fat go", set the standard high but helped his students and sons meet it, and could be counted on to relax on his back porch at the end of the day. He always had a smile for me and a kind word.
Peace to all of you
Molly Greiner
December 6, 2011
A gentle giant in a midget of a car, who's influence was embraced by many.
May all teachers have such a fanfare.
Rest well Mr. Labenberg.
Kim (Gibbs) Dolan
December 5, 2011
Oh there are just so many great memories for me...and how lucky I am to have shared so many years with all of you and "Mr. Labe!"
Susan Johnston Schmidt
December 3, 2011
A man of great influence over many, a gentleman that helped shape the lives of young people in our community, you will surely be missed. You achieved the ultimate goal-a life well lived and you were well loved! I will miss seeing you around the neighborhood Bill!
Sheilia Steiner-Rohrback
December 3, 2011
My heartfelt sympathy to the Labenberg family, my thoughts and prayers are with you! Mr Labenberg was an excellent role model in the East Penn school district. May God comfort you at this time
Darlene Krause-Clemence
December 2, 2011
Deepest regrets to all the family members. He was a great teacher at East Penn and for those of us who had him..will remember what a wonderful influential mn he was.
Richard Kepler Brunner
December 2, 2011
Though the untimely passing of Bill Labenberg leaves a vacuum, it is a void easily filled with decades' old memories. Bill first came into view through his wife Judy. She was a student of mine in an Expository Writing class at Muhlenberg College. The daughter of a Funeral Director, Judy wrote a paper that I named "The Case of the Vanishing Body." Of the thousands of student papers that crossed my desks at Muhlenberg, Cedar Crest and Wilson Colleges, Judy's "Vanishing Body" is the only one that deserves the accolade "unique." Alas, this is not the venue to recount that memory.
In August, 1978 I planned a trip to London taking a Laker Airline flight from New York JFK to London Heathrow. Laker was an innovative company trying to compete with British Airways and other transatlantic carriers by offering bargain fares. My dauther Susan accompanied me. My assignment was to write a piece on Laker's venture and on Lady Hartley's Bed and Breakfast house, for the Christian Science Monitor's travel section.
Then an airline strike grounded Laker's effort, leaving thousands of passengers without wings and without pillows to caress their heads. Lady Hartley called me to the telephone. My wife Betty was on the line from Emmaus. My mother had died during the night. Well, Susan and I had pillows to lay our heads upon, but no Laker wings to fly home for Mother's funeral two days hence.
A kind soul at the American Embassy arranged an airline ticket for Susan. She was booked on an American Airline Flight at 11 a.m. the next day. My flight was at 2 p.m. The trouble was that I had cash to pay for Susan's airfare but not for mine. In 1978 the Brunner household held not a single credit card. Before I bedeviled that angel at the Embassy for instant financial aid, Lady Hartley had Betty on the phone. She knew what to do. Bill and Judy had credit cards. Thus, these Good Samaritans waved the magic wand and my flight became a reality.
When I walked through the exit at JFK, there was Susan with chauffeurs Judy and Bill to welcome me.
Holly Mack
December 2, 2011
My sympathies go out to the the entire Labenberg family. I am sure you all know what a great man he was. He was one of the best teachers in the East Penn School District, always a smile a kind word and a fun spirit. He will be missed.
Jim Smartschan
December 1, 2011
Scott, Chris, Pete and Mrs. Labenberg,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you all. Yes, your Dad and husband was the gym teacher who timed all of us in the 50 and 600, the announcer at the football games, but I'll remember him as my best friend's Dad and a great neighbor. We all shared a lot of laughs growing up which I'll always cherish.
Scott Smickley
December 1, 2011
My condolences to the entire Labenberg famly. Bill was an icon in Emmaus, and will be sorely missed. Imagine, teaching sex ed to 6th graders in the 1970's. Just awesome. He was a man's man, yet kind, gentle, and compassionate...even as he kicked your butt (mentally) to push yourself to do your best in gym class. He (& Mrs. L) raised a great family. I remember playing sports with Scott & Chris, & while competitive, they were always classy and respectful; a reflection, I believe, of their father's spirit of fairness and decency. One of the posts referred to our part of Emmaus (including the nephews, cousins, etc. on Franklin Street) being the best place to grow up. Couldn't be more true. Those memories are incredibly sweet, and Mr. Labenberg was a big part of that. May God bless your family and give them stength and comfort in these sad and difficult days.
barry/bonnie keller
December 1, 2011
Bonnie and I regret we shall not be able to physically attend the call and internment but we shall be with you in spirit. What a great guy, friend, teacher, husband, father and grandfather he was and still is! Barry will call soon......
Kathy Jorgensen
December 1, 2011
He was one of my favorite teachers in grade school. So sorry for your loss. May your faith in our Lord give you strength. Kathy Kunkle Jorgensen
Bob Kachelries
December 1, 2011
Chris, Peter, Scott and Mrs. Labe,
Really sorry to hear about your Dad/Husband. I remember him as always having a smile and a quick wit. He was a great role model when we were growin up.
May he rest in peace.
Donna Winzer Brown
December 1, 2011
I send my sympathy to Mr. Labenberg's family. I remember him from both school in Emmaus and confirmation at St. John's. I believe that his ministry has shaped my own call to serve as an ordained minister in the Lutheran church (ELCA). I give thanks that he has joined the saints in light. Peace, Rev. Donna (Winzer) Brown
Beverly! Sweitzer
December 1, 2011
Thoughts are with the family! Had him as a teacher! WONDERFUL MAN! Heaven has a new ANGEL!
The Reverend Doctor David Charles Smith
November 30, 2011
My deepest sympathy and Chris and the entire family at this time of loss and grief. Your Dad was a good man, and left quite a legacy. May the peace of the Risen Christ offer you comfort and hope in the days ahead.
November 30, 2011
Chris and Family,
Like many others, I too had the privilege of having Mr. Labenberg as a gym teacher in the late 70's. Little did I know, 33 years later we would meet again as co-workers. I always looked forward to seeing him, whether to hear his latest joke, enjoy the edible treat he was bringing me, or just chat about what was happening within his family.
He was a proud man when it came to his family, this was evident from our conversations and please know I too will miss seeing him or just taking his phone call.
~Tammy, Trexler Funeral Home
November 30, 2011
To the Labenberg family, our deepest sympathy goes out to your entire family. Although I did not know Bill personally, what I did know of him was that he was a very giving and wonderful person. Lucille Daddona is my mother and I will always remember his donation to me in my time of need. My husband, Bill Helvig grew up on Spruce Street about a block away, and remembers him as his Gym teacher and will never forget him getting out of his little white MG Midgit with the black stripe on the bottom, he always wondered how he managed to get in and out of it. He thought it was so cool. He remembers playing baseball in the empty lot behind your house. My mother, Bill, and I were very saddened by the news of Bills passing. Maybe you can find comfort in knowing there is another bright star in the sky shining bright down on all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bill and Victoria Helvig
Gary Crossley
November 30, 2011
Scott,
I remember your Dad coming to Washington School to time us in the 50, to count how many pullups we could do and measure our distance in "the standing broad jump". In 6th grade at Jefferson I remember you Dad teaching sex education to a large group of 6th graders in the auditorium area. In high school I remember seeing your Dad at our football games always there to support the team. Scott I am sure you are very proud of your Dad as you should be. I am sure there are many of us Emmaus kids that have fond memories of your Dad teaching us about our health and well being. Wishing you, Patti and all your family the very best.
Jim Wilson
November 30, 2011
Teacher, Neighbor and Friend. May you rest in peace, and you will be missed
Karye Hunsicker-Hatton
November 30, 2011
I am saddened by the passing of my first and favorite gym teacher. "Go You Chicken Fat, Go Away" is my theme song for staying fit through out life thanks to this amazing teacher who has influenced hundreds of children over the years.
Condolences, Karye Hunsicker-Hatton and family.
Peg Heminitz
November 30, 2011
My sympathies to the family. I remember Mr. Labenberg as a wonderful gym teacher. I also worked with him at funerals when I was the sexton of Zion's Lutheran Church, Old Zionsville. He will be sorely missed.
November 30, 2011
Mrs. Labenberg, Scott, Chris and Peter,
I will never forget growing up in the best neighborhood in Emmaus...I will miss running into him at Weis's where we would catch up and remember those good times.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Susan (Smartschan) Pierog
laurie litzenberger
November 30, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of ur passing. You were such an awesome teacher and mentor and u will never be forgotten. My prayers go out to your family and friends n coworkers . I wish u could've been my kids teacher in school because they would've loved you. I still remember how you used to push me to work harder at gym and health and you always knew I could do it. And now because of you helping me n being my mentor I am now a CNA and I love taking care of ppl that need me the most. You will never be forgotten Mr labenburg . R.I.P . From one of your past students.
November 30, 2011
Judy- We were very saddened to read that Bill passed away. Our sympathies to you and your family. Jim & Sue James, Bradenton, FL
ERIN BURNS
November 30, 2011
Rest in Peace Mr.Labenberg.I remember the days of elementary school and gym class with this great man.I rememeber how i always looked up to him and his speech to me about sports and where i could take my skills if i tried hard enough.It was great running into him at local buissnesses and him still remembering you after all these years. To the family..im sorry for your loss and to the Emmaus community as well.
November 30, 2011
Judy and family,
We send our sympathy to you all.This world needs many more people like Bill,he surely lived like a Christian should,taking care of the less fortunate.
SANDI and Nick MIKLOS
Brenda (Uhl) Eichelberg
November 30, 2011
Sending my condolences. Mr. Labenberg was my gym teacher at Jefferson in the 1980s. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
Jeff Brinks
November 30, 2011
The loss of a loved one is such a difficult thing. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers as you journey through these days.
Your Friends at White and Williams
November 30, 2011
Scott,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We reviewed the obit in the Morning Call and although we didn't know your dad, he was a remarkable person. He truly gave to the community and to others. In addition, you look remarkable like your dad. We are sure you have inherited all of his wonderful traits.
Jenny
November 30, 2011
I share in your loss and your sorrow. Bill was the best. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely
Luke Heist
November 30, 2011
Dear Judy & Family,
My wife Rose and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of Bill. I have many fond memories of Bill since we both grew up in Wescosville. We had a team of buddies and now I am the last surviving of the buddies. Our prayers are with your family. Luke & Rose Heist
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