Marcella Schnur
Marcella Frances Geibel Schnur, 97, of 1021 Madison Ave., East Butler, went to her heavenly home at 10:35 a.m. Thursday.
A stellar homemaker, devoted wife and mother, proud grandmother, and innovator of unique sewing and decorative items, Sally, as she preferred to be called, was a 1933 graduate of Butler High School and a lifelong member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Butler.
Sally was born March 5, 1914, in Jeannette, the first born of Dessiderious H. Geibel and Anna Waltman Geibel Gallagher.
Her seven siblings include Leona (Gene) Farnen, Russell P. (Helen) Geibel, Glenn H. Geibel, all deceased, and Glenn's wife, Janice, Victor (Annabelle) Geibel and Lauretta (Ralph) Christie. Throughout her life, she missed her younger sister, Delores (Honey) Geibel, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1939 at age 9. Another sister, Hazel, died shortly after birth.
Sally grew up in Bonniebrook on a small Keck Road farm. Sally was greatly influenced and supported by her father, Dess, and was grief stricken when he died from an industrial accident in 1933.
Marcella married George J. Schnur on June 5, 1935. They were most proud of raising their five children, James R. (Nancy) Schnur, Dale E. (Linda) Schnur, Dess E. (Bernadette) Schnur, Beverly A. McAnallen and Georgia Sommariva Todd. George passed away May 3, 1990.
During their life together, Marcella and George enjoyed hunting, spending time with family and shopping, along with maintaining and relaxing at Camp Bonniebrook and Camp Oldewood at Highland Corners, Pa.
Marcella is survived by her brother, Vic; her sister, Lauretta; her five children; 21 grandchildren and their spouses; 33 great-grandchildren (two grandsons deceased); one great-great- granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marcella was a practical innovator and used her natural interior design talent to furnish and decorate her beautiful home. Drive, purpose, tenacity and organization were a way of life for her and were vital when Camp Oldewood was constructed in 1967.
Because of her birth year, 1914, Sally witnessed the life changing events of the 20th century. Her favorite car was the 1930 red Ford Roadster with yellow wire wheels and a rumble seat that her father bought so that she could drive herself and Leona to high school. She saw the development of the airplane, witnessed the hard times of the Depression and two world wars, watched space exploration and used the new technology that changed our world. She saw her country become a world superpower. As time went on, she gained skills and used her experience and wisdom to teach her children and grandchildren that all things are possible if you are persistent, hardworking and determined.Marcella was an outstanding example of the strong, independent American woman who the 20th Century produced.
<B>SCHNUR</B> — Friends of Marcella Frances Geibel Schnur, who died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, will be received at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 127 Franklin St., Butler. The Rev. Steven V. Neff, will officiate. Internment will follow in St. Mary's Parish Cemetery, Herman.The women's council of St. Peter will meet at 10:40 a.m. Monday at the church to recite the Rosary.Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.
