Rev. Dr. William D. Schmeling, 84, of Latrobe, passed away Wednesday December 13, 2017. He was a longtime pastor and served as superintendent of the Greensburg District of the United Methodist Church from 1994-1998. He also was the director of the Conference Ministers' Chorus from 1986-2006.
Born October 20, 1933 in Johnstown, a son of the late Henry J. and Evelyn (Blough) Schmeling, he was a graduate of Windber High School, attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 1955. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the United Theological Seminary in 1958, a Master of Theology from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1961, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Lancaster Seminary in 1982.
Bill was ordained on May 16, 1958 in the Western Pennsylvania Conference. He served as pastor of the following Evangelical United Brethren churches: Johnstown Overbrook – Faith (1958-1960), Johnstown Overbrook (1960-1963), Beaverdale – Mt. Hope (1963-1965), Beaverdale (1965-1968), and Altoona Second Avenue (1968-1971). He then served as pastor of the following United Methodist churches: Johnstown Centennial – Faith (1971-1978), Latrobe Bethany (1978-1989), Johnstown Beulah (1989-1994), and Monongahela (1998-1999). He served as the Superintendent of the Greensburg District of the United Methodist Church from 1994-1998.
He was a tenor soloist, having begun singing while still in high school. Besides entertaining at church and social gatherings, he sang with the conference Ministers’ Chorus for 55 years starting in 1959. He served as director for the chorus for 20 years from 1986-2006.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Mark, and three brothers, Robert, Henry, and Stanton. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra (Anderson) Schmeling; children, Dr. John Schmeling and wife Lynn of New Albany, OH, Beth Grassman and husband Jim of Gahanna, OH, daughter-in-law Lydia Schmeling of Latrobe, PA, and Matthew Schmeling and wife Rosanne of Latrobe, PA; grandchildren, Kailey, Paige and Anna Schmeling, Megan, Kevin (Jamie), and Tyler Grassman, Holly Shaw, Mark Schmeling Jr. (Kristen), Nathan DeCanter (Nicole), Chad Schmeling (Amanda), and Travis Schmeling: great grandchildren, Madison Shaw, Mia and Ava Schmeling, and Makayla and Cameron Kuzmin.
Friends will be received Friday, Dec. 15 from 1 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM in the Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home, Inc. 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe. A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11 AM in the Bethany United Methodist Church, 2415 Laveen Street, Latrobe, with Rev. Les Hutchins officiating. (Everyone please go directly to the church.) Private interment will be in Unity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Allegheny at 100 Camp Allegheny Drive, Stoystown, PA 15563.