Harry Shalter

Harry John Shalter, 86, of Reading passed away with his loving wife by his side on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 in the Reading Hospital.  Born in Reading, he was the oldest son of the late Harry E. and Tillie (Pinkasavage) Shalter.  Harry was the husband of Patricia A. (Graczyk) Shalter, together they shared almost 65 years of marriage.  Harry proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War Era.  He worked at Met Ed for 38 years mostly as an electrical construction worker and retired as a foreman.  Harry was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.  He was one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet and was always there for people.  He was a member of the Reading Country Club which was one of the many places he loved to golf at.  Harry played baseball in a local league until he was 40 and was known to be a great 2nd baseman and short stop. He tried out for the Philadelphia Phillies when he was younger but was rejected due to his size.  He also loved to bowl, fish, and hunt.  Harry enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles and would attend Reading Phillies and Reading Royals games.  He was very handy and even built a fish pond in his backyard which was featured in the Reading Eagle.

In addition to his wife, Patricia A. Shalter, Harry is survived by his son, Scott A. Shalter, fiancé to Anne Miller.  Also surviving are his granddaughters, Katie-Ann O’Reilly, wife of Patrick and Jessica Shalter, his sister, Elizabeth Biondo, and his nephews, Mitchell Millard, Darryl Millard, and Jason Biondo.  Harry is preceded in death by his siblings, Karen Shalter, Edward Shalter, and Mary Shalter-Meshinski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 740 Cherry Street, West Reading, Friday, June 4, 2021 at 10:00 am.  The family will receive friends and relatives in Sacred Heart RCC on Friday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.  Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery with honors rendered by the United States Army.  Harry was a very giving person so in lieu of flowers please make a contribution in Harry’s name to either Disabled American Veterans, P.O. box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or USO, P.O. box 96860 Washington, D.C. 20077-7677.  Whelan Schwartz Funeral Home, 444 N. 9th Street, Reading is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.whelanschwartz.com.