Mabel Stella (Derr) Schmeltzle, 93, formerly of Salisbury Township, died Nov. 26, 2020, at the Lutheran Home at Topton. She was the wife of the late Carl “Buddy” Schmeltzle, with whom she celebrated 65 years of marriage. Born in Hosensack, she was the 11th of 13 children of Wilmer and Stella Derr.

She grew up speaking Pennsylvania Dutch and was bilingual her whole life. She worked from an early age on the family’s farm and then at various sewing factories in the Upper Perkiomen area. She later worked for several years at Keystone Transformer Co. in Pennsburg, where she was an “all-around girl” who was able to fill in at any position.

After many years in Palm and then Emmaus, she and her husband lived in her prized split-level home in Alton Park until they retired to Country Meadows.

She was a member of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Old Zionsville.

She enjoyed sewing, finding bargains at yard sales and being outside in her garden. She was open-minded and quick to laugh and every person who was fortunate to spend time with her would comment on how friendly and sweet she was. She made sure her family knew how loved they were.

She is survived by children: Linda and her husband, Ronald Schaffer, of Macungie; Barry and his wife, Sharon, of Bailey, N.C.; Dale and his wife, Shelley, of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren: Kim Schaffer and her husband, Josh Bushey; Justin Schaffer and his wife, Angie; Shaina and her husband, Jared Mitchell; Eric and his wife, Stephanie; Alexa and her husband, Robert Parrish; Kyle; great-grandchildren, Caroline, Mackenzie, Havah, Hadassah, Israel, Caleb, Daniel, Jenna and Ethan. She was predeceased by each of her siblings.

Contributions may be made in support of the hungry and un-housed members of our community to New Bethany Ministries, 333 W. Fourth St., Bethlehem, 18015, or newbethanyministries.org.

Arrangements were made by the Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Emmaus.