Sandra Helene (Anderson) Schmeling

Sandra graduated from Illinois State (formerly Normal) University High School in Normal, Ill., in 1952. She went on to receive her bachelor of science in education in 1956 from Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) in Indianapolis, Ind., and her master of education equivalency from the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, in 1991.

Prior to her retirement in 1997, she served as a beloved elementary school teacher at Belle Haven (1956-57) and Hickory Dale (1957-58) in Dayton, Ohio; Stevens (1970-71) in Altoona; West End (1971-78) in Windber; and Head Start (1978-80) and Baggaley, then Mountain View (1980-97), in Latrobe.

After her retirement in 1997, Sandra gave much of her time to the purpose of the United Methodist Women in the Greensburg District of the United Methodist Church, serving as secretary of program resources, vice president and president. She served as a counselor of elementary-age children at Camp Allegheny.

Through the years, she sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and was active in the Women’s Society for World Service and United Methodist Women in the churches where her husband served as a pastor of Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist churches.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Dr. William D. Schmeling; and her son, Mark Schmeling.

She is survived by her children, Dr. John Schmeling and wife, Lynn, of New Albany, Ohio, and Beth Grassman and husband, Jim, of Sunbury, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Lydia Schmeling of Latrobe; and Matthew Schmeling of Latrobe; grandchildren: Kailey Aksel (Mark), Paige Kaplansky (Kevin), Anna Frey (Noah), Megan Sheares (Zachary), Kevin Grassman (Jamie), Tyler Grassman (Ashley), Holly Shaw, Mark Schmeling Jr. (Kristen), Nathan DeCanter (Nicole), Chad Schmeling (Amanda) and Travis Schmeling (Leah): great-grandchildren: Madison Shaw, Mia, Ava and Brogan Schmeling, Makayla and Cameron Kuzmin, Berkley Smith, Nora, Riley, Carter and Lincoln Grassman, Jane Aksel and Harper Kaplansky; and two great-grandchildren on the way.

Friends will be received from 2 until the 4 p.m. funeral service Friday, March 21, 2025, at Bethany Church, 2415 Laveen St., Latrobe, with Pastor Corben Russell and Pastor Ardi Hill co-officiating. Private interment will take place at Unity Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Allegheny, 100 Camp Allegheny Drive, Stoystown, PA 15563, for “Camperships” for elementary-age campers.

Arrangements are by The Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home Inc., Latrobe.

To post an online condolence, please visit www.hartman-grazianofuneralhome.com.