Madeleine "Maddie" (Schnable) Steakelum

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Madeleine T. “Maddie” Steakelum, 95, who went to her heavenly home on April 26, 2024. She was the wife of the late Robert J. “Bobby” Steakelum, who passed away in 1978.

Madeleine “Maddie” was born May 21, 1928, in Reading, PA, and was the daughter of the late Frank and Loyola (Souders) Schnable.

She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Central Catholic High School class of 1946.

Madeleine was a lifelong member of Holy Guadian Angels Catholic Church. Her faith was strong, and she enjoyed praying quietly in her home. She was the Blessed Mother in the Tablo at Christmas, and the May queen when she was in 8th grade. She was the leading lady in the 1946 senior class play Best Foot Forward.

She was employed by Bechtel, Lutz and Jost of Reading, Pomeroy’s, Billy’s Pretzel’s

Kmart, retiring from Weis Markets in 2007.

Madeleine loved spending time with her family, she enjoyed shopping, enjoyed taking care of her home, decorating for the holidays, sitting on her front porch with family and friends and taking bus trips with the Laureldale Seniors Club.

She had a legacy of strong faith, love, compassion and kindness.

She was a member of the Laureldale Seniors Club.

 Madeleine was the loving Mother to Joette L. Lawless of Muhlenberg Twp and Scott R., husband of Donna M. Steakelum of Mays Landing, NJ.

Beloved grandmother to Justin, husband of Kimberly Lawless; Brendan, husband of Laura Steakelum; Allison, wife of Peter Dorwin and Brianne, wife of Michael Martin and beloved great grandmother to Gabriella Dorwin, Jackson Dorwin, Brody Lawless, Logan Lawless, Munro Martin, Matilda Martin, Magdalene Martin and Belle Steakelum.

Also surviving are her sisters: Loyola Biehl of Temple; Rosemary (Rosie) Schnable of Temple.

She was preceded in death by siblings: Dolores F. Schnable West, Josephine “Jo” Ludwig and

Francis “Frankie” E. Schnable, Sr.

To know Madeleine was to love her. She had a sweet smile and warm caring ways. She will be missed by those who knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, May 1st at 10:30 am at Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 3121 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA 19605.

A viewing will be held Wednesday from 9-10 am at the Stitzel Funeral Home, 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA.

Entombment will be in the Chapel of St. George, Gethsemane Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the : Vision Resource Center of Berks County, 2220 Hampden Blvd, Reading PA 19604 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704,Hagerstown, MD 21741.

For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

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