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Fern M. (Reichert) Shade, 97, of Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, passed away on March 9, 2025 at Phoebe Home in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after a brief illness. Born on January 9, 1928 in Pikeville, Berks County, she was the youngest child of the late Wilson and Mary (Nester) Reichert.
She was married to the late Henry S. Shade for 56 years until his death in August 2007.Following her marriage in 1951, Fern moved to Breinigsville, Lehigh County, where she and Henry farmed until 1973.
In the 1950s, she also worked for several years as a seamstress at Royal Manufacturing in Alburtis, Pennsylvania.From 1973 until their retirement in 1989, Fern and Henry owned and operated Shade’s Economy Store in Topton, Pennsylvania, where they sold freshly butchered meats and other groceries. Henry and Fern proved a small, neighborhood corner store could survive, largely on their commitment to excellent customer service.
Fern was a member of Longswamp United Church of Christ, Mertztown, Pennsylvania. She taught Sunday School there for forty years and helped sew quilts for the church bazaar after she and Henry retired. She enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Phillies.
SURVIVORS: She is survived by her beloved son, Vern H. Shade, and his wife, Jill R. (Schaeffer) Shade, with whom she resided; and her grandchildren, Katie and Matthew.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings: Earl, Ernest, Woodrow, Melvin, Floyd, Amy (Reichert) Bechtel, Nevin, and Linwood.SERVICES: A funeral, led by the Rev. Kimberly Berenotto, will begin at 10:30 A.
M. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Longswamp United Church of Christ. Interment will be held at Longswamp Union Cemetery in Mertztown, Pennsylvania, immediately thereafter.
In lieu of flowers, Fern’s family requests that contributions in her memory be made to Longswamp United Church of Christ; 200 Clay Road; Mertztown, PA 19522. Schmoyer Funeral Home in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, is in charge of arrangements..
