Howard H. “Dope” Shaup, 87, passed away Wednesday, February 4th, at Rest Haven, where he had been a resident.
Born on January 2, 1928, he was a son of the late Wilbur “Rusty” & Marion (Flexer) Shaup.
He was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School, Class of 1945, and served in the U.S. Army from 1946-1948 as a medic during WW II.
He was formerly employed by Lewis News Agency delivering newspapers and Ebinger Iron Works, Schuylkill Haven, for 45 years.
Howard enjoyed playing baseball for the Haven Merchants and Haven Blue Sox. He umpired for the Haven Little League for many years. He was a lifetime member of the Rainbow Hose Company, No. 1, Schuylkill Haven.
Howard was a very devoted member of First United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven. He served on consistory, acted as church secretary for 41 years, from 1953 to 1994, and was the church’s bowling league secretary. Howard also served as treasurer of the church for 37 years, from 1958 to 1995, and co-treasurer from 1996 to 2009, for 15 years. Howard was a deacon for 8 years, from 1951 to 1959, and an elder for a total of 33 nonconsecutive years. Howard had tabulated that throughout his many years of active church participation, he had attended 597 church meetings. He opened and closed the church for Sunday service as well as for outside organizations using the church. He took care of church grounds and was honored with a name plate titling the garage at church the “Howard Shaup Shop”. Howard’s famous potato filling is still a favorite of many at church dinners, as well as fundraisers that benefit First United Church of Christ.
He is survived by two brothers: Wilbur J. “Bib” Shaup & wife, Grace, Minersville, and Robert F. “Red” Shaup & wife, Helen, Bensalem, five nephews: Robert Shaup & companion, Deb Taylor, Schuylkill Haven, James Shaup & wife, Lisa, Auburn, who took special care of him during his illness, David Shaup, Minersville, Robert W. Shaup, NJ, and Glenn Shaup & wife, Mary, VA, two nieces: Kathy Shaup, and Victoria Shaup & husband, Angelo, Bensalem, and numerous great-nieces & great-nephews.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc. on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Ms. Shawn VanDyke officiating.
A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Interment will be held at Schuylkill Memorial Park at a later date.
At the family's request, memorial donations in Howard’s memory may be sent to First United Church of Christ Memorial Fund, 110 Rt. 61 South, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.