Norman "Shorty" Schuster

Norman "Shorty" Schuster, 79, of Sellersville, passed away with his family by his side in his home, Wednesday morning, January 31,2001. He was the husband of Lorraine E.(Hillegas) Schuster. They celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on November 17, 2000.

Born in South Perkasie on October 18, 1921, he was one of 12 children of the late Albert and Elsie (Ahlum) Schuster. He has resided in Sellersville since 1962 and had spent his entire life in the Pennridge area.

Shorty was a 1939 graduate of Sellersville-Perkasie High School Where he had played football, baseball, basketball and ran on the championship mile relay team. He had also played football with the former Sellersville Greenjackets.

He had been employed at the former J. Melvin Freed Switch Plate Factory, Perkasie until entering the military in 1942 where he joined Co. D 331st Regt. 83rd Infantry Division at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. His division was sent to England where he crossed the English Channel and landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy. Shorty was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart and E.T.O. ribbon with five campaign battle stars representing Normandy, Brittany, Central Europe, Rhineland and the Ardennes.

Upon discharge from the Army in 1945, he again worked at Freed’s and became a part-time bartender at the former Perkasie American Legion in 1947.

In 1948 Shorty helped form the Sellersville National Guard Unit and became the first Sergeant of the 721st Transportation Truck Co. This unit was activated into service during the Korean Conflict, being sent to Germany in 1950. Upon discharge in 1952 he returned to working at Freed’s. In 1955 he became a bartender at the Perkasie Owls Club where he was Club Steward for 8 years.

He had been employed at the Doylestown Country Club from 1965 until 1978, when he retired due to health problems.

Shorty was a life-member of the Hartzell-Crouthamel Post 280 American Legion, Perkasie where he was Post Commander from 1980 to 1990. He was a member and past-president of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the 83rd Division as well as a member of the National Organization. He was a Charter member of the Veterans of the Battle of Normandy Foundation; a member of the Delaware Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge; a life-member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart; and a member of 40 and 8 Voiture 927.

He was a member of St. Andrew/s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perkasie.

Shorty participated in many veterans/ programs and affairs throughout the community. He was a past Republican Committeeman

After becoming homebound, he enjoyed sketching and painting.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one (1) son:Troy Albert Schuster and his wife, Carol Lynn (Yates), Sellersville; three (3) brothers: Leroy, Perkasie; Warren and his wife, Shirley; and Eddie and his wife, Irene, all of Hilltown; five (5) sisters:Agnes Christy, Lansdale; Joyce, wife of Arthur Tyler, New Hampshire; Delores Delikat Linsenbigler, Quakertown; Arlene, wife of Anthony Manero and Ann, wife of Carl Popwiny, all of Sellersville; and one (1) granddaughter: Robyn Lynn Yates, Sellersville.

He was preceded in death by: a son, William Eugene Schuster who died in 1980; one (1) brother: Raymond; two (2) sisters: Helen Pittman and Evelyn Walls.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service, Saturday, February 3 at 11:00 AM in St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Dill Avenue and Chestnut Street, Perkasie. Friends may call Friday, February 2, at the church, from 4:00 PM until, 7:00 PM and on Saturday morning, from 9:30 AM until time of service at the church.

Interment in St. Andrew/s Union Cemetery, Perkasie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church Organ Fund, PO Box 257, Perkasie, PA 18944 or the Norman Schuster Memorial Fund, c/o Harleysville National Bank, PO Box 110, Sellersville, PA 18960