Daniel G. Schmedlen

Daniel G. Schmedlen, 78, of Lemoyne, PA died on Oct. 6, 2021 at home after a courageous multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He leaves behind his wife, Jeanne, and two sons, Daniel Jr. (Greenwich, CT) and wife Nida, and Michael J. (Malvern, PA) and wife Rian, and five grandchildren whom he adored: Jurgis, Tatum, Elena, Lindy and Henry.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Audrey Ruth Walker Schmedlen and Henry E. Schmedlen, and by his beloved brother, Roger. Born (7/1/1943) and raised in Detroit and Milford, MI, Dan spent most of his adult life in central PA.

Dan was an avid downhill skier and sailor. He took up running later in life and completed his first marathon (Chicago) in 4:22 at age 58. Dan cherished his family above all else and spent countless days with Jeanne and his boys skiing at Roundtop and cruising on the Chesapeake Bay on his sloop, "Thursday’s Child". He was a lifelong Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions fan.

A decorated Veteran, Dan served as a tank commander with the U.S. Army in Germany in 1967-68. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from Eastern Michigan University with a particular affinity for 17th century English lit, especially the works of John Milton. While in college he worked at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford as a test driver. Dan taught English literature at Dodge City Community College and later served as Dean of Students at St. Mary of the Plains College in Kansas before he began his 35-year career at IBM. At IBM, Dan worked in marketing and sales until his retirement in 2010. Dan prized his relationship with his IBM state team colleagues and with his customers, many of whom managed data processing departments at state agencies in Harrisburg PA.

Dan’s intelligence, integrity and engaging personality drew others to him. He had a quick and easy smile and could dazzle his friends with an extraordinary ability to quote, verbatim, poems and prose, including (in Middle English) Chaucer’s Prologue to "The Canterbury Tales".

Dan also leaves behind his brothers Michael J. Schmedlen (Judy) of Laingsburg, MI and George W. Schmedlen (Valerie) of Cleveland, OH, and his sister Lynda Ruth Terrill (Thomas) of Arlington, VA, and their children.

All the Schmedlens are grateful for the support of their friends and family and the caregivers of Hospice of Homeland during the heart-breaking chore of saying good bye to a much-loved and extraordinary husband, father, brother and uncle.

Dan’s family will receive well wishers from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 at the Parthemore Funeral Home in New Cumberland, followed at 6 p.m. by comments from Dan’s sons. Instead of flowers, those wishing to honor Dan’s memory are asked to recall their favorite 50s rock-and-roll songs and sing or hum them, which he often did.

For driving directions please visit www.parthemore.com.