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John Seidel Obituary
John Allen Seidel of Muncie, Ind., passed away Friday, June 10, 2016, at the age of 67. He was born October 1, 1948, to Charles Seidel and Elsie (Reinert) Seidel in Reading, Pa. John was an accomplished trombonist who met and fell in love with another
musician, pianist Liz Seleski. They married on July 7, 1979, in Reading, Pa., and the couple pursued their passionate love of each other and classical music across the Midwest. Along the way, they raised two adoring children.
John was the associate professor of trombone at Ball State University in Muncie, where he taught for 24 years. He also performed as a soloist and chamber musician,
appearing regularly with several orchestras in Indiana,
including the Indianapolis Symphony and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra. He performed and recorded with the Indianapolis Chamber Brass Choir, and he was a founding member of the Indiana Brass Quintet. For two seasons, he was the bass trombonist for the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra in Duluth, Minn. He taught previously at the
University of Wisconsin-Superior and at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts
degree from the University of North Texas. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Orchestra Society of
Philadelphia and principal trombonist with the Reading Symphony Orchestra.
John is survived by his wife; his children, Jonathan
(Lauren) and Christine Seidel; his granddaughter, Sydney Seidel; his sisters, Liz (Jack) Allen and Sue (Dan) Pfeiffer, as well as many other loving family members, friends and students.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Calling hours are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, June 17, at Stitzel Family Funeral Home, 3300 Kutztown Road,
Laureldale, PA, 19605. Services will be held 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 18, at Christ Lutheran Church, 325 Covered Bridge Road, Oley, PA, 19547. Burial will immediately
follow the services. A memorial service will be planned in Muncie in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John's name to the Reading Symphony Orchestra, 147 N. Fifth St., Suite 4, Reading, PA, 19601, or to the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, designated for the St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital, 8402 Harcourt Road, Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN, 46260.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Seidel
Steve Wolfinbarger
June 22, 2016
Yesterday I was shocked to hear about John's passing. I have so many good memories of John from our college days in the trombone studio at the University of North Texas. He was a wonderful individual and outstanding teacher and mentor for his students. Liz, thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. John will really be missed!
Mike & Gwen White
June 17, 2016
Liz, Christine, Jonathan, and Lauren,
Our hearts are deeply saddened by John's death. He was a wonderful person to have known and loved life and you, his family with constancy and passion. We remember the joy he found in good music, food, wine, and coffee. His conversations about current events and his philosophy of life were a special treat. We cannot imagine your sorrow but hope that the memory of his joy and love for you will be a comfort. You have our sincere condolences.
Linda Sterner Baniszeski
June 17, 2016
Deepest sympathy to John's family upon this loss. Remember John from jr. and sr. high school. He was always smiling and a friend to all. God bless you and keep you as you mourn this great loss
Alice Zweizig Kutz
June 17, 2016
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family and friends! I graduated from OVAHS with John, and we shared a lot of great times together in Chorus, parades etc. I'll always remember his very kind personality, infectious laugh and his musical talents! He is sadly missed and our class was so looking forward to seeing both of you at our 50th Class Reunion in October. God Bless you and your family!
Howard Buss
June 15, 2016
Liz, Please accept my condolences on the loss of John. He was a great man who touched so many people in countless ways with his music, teaching, and friendship. When John and I were students together at West Chester State he was a year ahead of me in school - I looked up to him as a role model and so admired his trombone playing. It was wonderful to reconnect with him and meet you through our musical collaborations a few years ago. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sarah Slaven
June 14, 2016
Liz, we are so sorry for your loss. I wish that I had the words to express our heartfelt sympathy at this difficult time. Although I had only met John a few times, I know that he must have touched so many lives just as you have. We are thinking about you and hope that you are able to find some comfort with friends and family.
Liz & John - wonderful friends to us
Gwen & Michael White
June 14, 2016
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Memorial Events
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Jun
17
Calling hours
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Stitzel Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc - Reading3300 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605
Funeral services provided by:
Stitzel Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc - Reading3300 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605
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