Ernest W. Schleicher, 87, a resident of Luther Crest, South Whitehall Township, formerly of Mount Penn, Reading, died Feb. 10, 2013.

He and his wife Grace I. (Fisher) Schleicher were married 57 years in September 2012.

Born in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, he was the son of the late Clayton P. and Estella A. (Wehr) Schleicher.

He graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1943.

A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy as a fire controlman aboard the USS Cabot in the South Pacific.

He graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1949 and was a member of Triangle Fraternity.

He began a 40-year career with Metropolitan Edison Company as a summer employee in 1947, retiring as senior vice president of customer operations.

Some of his many civic duties included service as treasurer of the Mt. Penn Municipal Authority, vice chairman of the Berks County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Pennsylvania Electric Association, executive committee member and director of the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, director and trustee of the Lutheran Home at Topton and as president of the Greater Berks Food Bank.

He was a member and past lay leader of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading.

During retirement, he became a Master Gardener, was active with the Pennsylvania German Heritage Cultural Center and was an accomplished woodworker.

He resided in Mount Penn for more than 40 years, before moving to Allentown in 2010.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons David and his wife, Barbara, of Allentown and Statesville, N.C. Tom and his wife, Janet, of Richmond, Va., John and his wife, Barbara, of New Freedom; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sister, Naomi Padell.

His memorial service will be 11 a.m. Feb. 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St., Reading.

Interment will be at Ebenezer Union Cemetery, New Tripoli.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601 or to the Greater Reading Food Bank, 1011 Tuckerton Court, Reading, PA 19605.

Condolences may be offered to the family at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements made by Keller Funeral Homes Inc., Fogelsville.