Henry Richard Shuchart

Henry R. Shuchart, 93, of New Freedom, passed peacefully at home on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Henry was born April 2, 1930 in New Freedom, son of the late Joseph and Agnes (Ryer) Shuchart. He was the husband of Pauline ‘Polly’ M. (Pekala) Shuchart. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 28th. Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, Mark (Kathy), Chris (Christine), Kevin (Joy), and Matt (Brian); and daughters Karla (Wayne) Heuer and Michelle (Bruce) Hrebik; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Preceded in death are siblings Paul and Rose Marie Shuchart.

Henry worked at the New Freedom Movie Hall, Summer’s Cannery, and American Insulator. He was a graduate of New Freedom High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War, earning the honor of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged July 1953. He completed a 5 year apprenticeship from the American Insulator as a tool-and-die maker.

He enjoyed serving as a church altar boy, usher, building advisory board member, cemetery committee, Boy Scout Leader, softball player and umpire. Recreationally he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and League bowling. In addition, he held membership in the VFW, American Legion, St. John Jewels, AARP, and Senior Centers in the area.

In 1960, he and a cousin, Wilfrid Shuchart, started Tecni-Tool, which later became Tecni-Die Mfg. Co. Inc. Henry retired after 29 years as a highly sought after tool-and-die maker in 1989. Upon retirement, his son, Mark Shuchart, continued in the business and ran the company solely until 2018.

He was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Following cremation, visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., 24 N. 2nd St., New Freedom, PA with a prayer service starting at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic  Church (Historic), 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, PA 17349. He will be interred in the adjoining church cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon VA Medical Center or the South Central Senior Center, 150 E. Main St., New Freedom, PA 17349 in honor of Henry R. Shuchart. HartensteinCares.com