Richard G. Schimmel, 101, of Allentown, died Feb. 3, 2024 at Phoebe Nursing Home in Allentown. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late John and Florence (Schneck) Schimmel. His wife, Yolanda L. (Cocca) Schimmel, died May 20, 2010.

He was one of the last Pearl Harbor survivors, serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a staff sergeant with the 581st Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion who set up the first radar that detected the Japanese planes and was the fifth person to know the Japanese were attacking.

He was a graduate of Allentown High School and Penn State College Business School. In his civilian life, he was a devoted family man with a quick-witted sense of humor. He was a salesman at the former Sears Roebuck and Co. in Whitehall for over 30 years until his retirement, where he was the co-founder and past president of the Sears Retirees Club.

He was a devout Catholic and was a member of The Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

He is survived by sons, Richard M. and his wife, Judith, Terence A. and his fiancée, Rosemary B. Wetherhold; grandchildren, Ryan (Jennifer), Jill Sopa (Dren), Mark, Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Evan, Matthew and Drew, Dardan Sopa. He was predeceased by a grandson, Anthony M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or Penn State Thon at www.thon.org.

A viewing will be held 9-10:15 a.m. Feb. 7 followed by a memorial service 10:15 a.m. at Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 17th and Hamilton streets, Allentown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. at The Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena, 1825 W. Turner St., Allentown.