Ronald Schmoyer

Ronald L. Schmoyer, 76, of Mountain Top, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Homer L. Schmoyer and Dorothy S. (Reichard) Schmoyer. Ronald was a graduate of Dieruff High School in Allentown and went on to earn his Bachelor of Music Performance and Bachelor of Music Education from the prestigious Philadelphia Musical Academy and a Master of Music Performance and Master of Music Education from Westchester University.

A trumpeter first, Ron played all instruments, performing in various bands and orchestras, including the Northeast Philharmonic. His performing life spanned nearly 60 years, in genres from jazz to polka. However, he focused even more of his professional energy on passing on his love of music to others.

After graduation, he taught music at Father Judge High School and Northeast Catholic in Philadelphia before moving to Northeast Pennsylvania to be the band director at E.L. Meyers High School, where for over 15 years he led the marching and jazz bands to numerous awards and competition trophies, traveling throughout the states, gaining national recognition, even playing once for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. He then moved onto Kistler Elementary and Heights Murray Elementary and served as the Supervisor of Music for Wilkes-Barre Area School District, until his retirement after 35 years.

Throughout his career, he also taught private music lessons to all sorts of learners, from a young child picking up their first trombone to accomplished players needing a tune-up during Conservatory, making plain to each one that he really could tell if you practiced.

Ron was a devoted member of St. Jude Church, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), the National Education Association (NEA), Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR), and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).

He loved good food, dancing, watching old Western movies, working in his garden, creating water features for his backyard, traveling, spending time with his family, and attending live music performances, often taking time to chat up the band. He was especially fond of Lionel model trains, engineering elaborate displays each holiday season. He was an avid sports fan, proudly supporting the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry Schmoyer and Bruce Schmoyer, and a brother-in-law, John "Pikes" Jablonski.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 and a half years, Barbara (Jablonski) Schmoyer; his son, Kyle Schmoyer of Delanco, N.J.; his daughter, Erin Leigh Schmoyer and her husband, William Schnurr, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his brother, Jeffrey Schmoyer of Allentown; his brother-in-law, Edward Jablonski of Reading; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, as well as a number of loving friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, from the Desiderio-Lehman Funeral and Cremation, 436 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Jude Church, Mountain Top.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, and again from 9:30 a.m. to service time Thursday morning.

Ronald will be remembered for his passionate love of music, diligent work ethic, creativity, generosity of spirit, commitment to his students, and unwavering devotion to Barbara, Kyle, and Erin Leigh, of whom he was always proud. He is deeply and forever missed.

Flowers are welcome, and donations can be made in Ronald's memory to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.