Francis Schnable Sr.

Francis E. Schnable Sr., 70, of Reading died Saturday morning in The Reading Hospital. He was known by his friends as "Big Frank."

Francis was the widower of Carol Ann (Hughes) Schnable, who died in September 2007.

He was born in Reading, PA, on May 28, 1942. Francis was the son of the late Frank L. and Loyola (Souder) Schnable.

Mr. Schnable was employed as an electrician by the IBEW Local 743 Electrical Union, retiring in June 2004. He was a graduate of Muhlenberg High School.

Francis loved his family. He was the father of Lyn R., wife of George G. Wassner, of Wernersville; Noreen V., wife of Richard R. Reinhart, of Shillington; and Francis E. Jr., husband of Traci L. Schnable, of Birdsboro. Francis had two grandchildren, Ashleigh and Brittany, and a great-grandson, Braydan. He also had four sisters, Josephine Ludwig, Laureldale; Madeleine Steakelum, Reading; Loyola Biehl, Temple; and Rosemary Schnable, Temple. He was predeceased by a sister, Delores West. He also loved his cat, "Patches."

Mr. Schnable was a member of the Central, Temple, Goodwill and Lincoln Park Fire Companies. He was a helper on the pit crew for Franks' Sunoco 260 race car at the former Reading Fairgrounds. He also was busy there helping with his push truck. Since he enjoyed racing, he worked at the Big Diamond and Lincoln Speedway. He was a member of the Pikeville Sportsman's Club, and a past president of the Muhlenberg Rifle Association.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Berks County Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be given in Francis' memory to the Humane Society, 1801 North Eleventh Street, Reading, PA 19604.