J. Michael Schweder, 71, of Yardley and formerly of Bethlehem, died on January 15, 2021, at home. He was a son of the late John “Bull” and Mary (Lyons) Schweder. He was the husband of Annette (Weaver) since 1972.

He was a 1967 graduate of Bethlehem (Liberty) High School. He was a 1971 graduate of Lycoming College, where he played four years of varsity football. He was twice named defensive player of the year. In 1997, he was inducted into the Warrior Hall of Fame.

From 1974 to 1980, he represented the residents of the 135th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. From 1998 to 2010, he was a three term member and president of the city council. He worked for Air Products and then for AT&T for 35 years. While at AT&T, he was director of public affairs, Harrisburg and was regional director of government affairs in Washington, D.C. He moved to corporate headquarters in New Jersey in 1996, was state president of New Jersey in 2000, and assumed responsibility for Pennsylvania four years later. In 2008, he became president of Mid-Atlantic States, with responsibilities for Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. He retired in November 2018. He was an 18 year member of NJM Insurance Group’s board of directors. He was a member of Lycoming College’s Board of Trustees.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Rob and his wife Lindsay Birckhead and grandsons Emmett and Cole; Jack and his wife Erin (Scharkozy), and granddaughters Harper, Olivia and Addie; and Michael and his wife Victoria (Kassab) and grandchildren Piper, Johnny, and Charlie; and three sisters, Anne Berg, Libby Geyer, and Stephanie Schweder-Kratzer.

Contributions may be made to the J. Michael and Annette Schweder Endowed Scholarship in the Sciences, Lycoming College, Office of College Advancement, 1 College Place, Williamsport, PA 17701.

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.