Theodore Szczepanski, Jr.

(Ted) Theodore August Szczepanski, Jr. 71, of Gouglersville, died peacefully November 2, 2022 in his home, surrounded by his loving family. A giant of a man, both in heart and stature, he fought a hard fight with prostate cancer and urged all men to pay attention their prostate health. He was born in Reading, PA to Theodore and Mary (Sobotka) Szczepanski on October 5, 1951. After graduating from Holy Name High School in 1969, where he played for the IC championship Bluejays, he served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1970-1974. He then joined the Reading Fire Dept. where he served as a firefighter and ENT for 35 years before retiring in 2010. Teddy was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and camping with his vast collection of friends and family. He was the kindest, most respectful and selfless man to all those who had the pleasure of knowing him and will be greatly missed by all. Ted is survived by his wife Barbara; sisters, Rosemary (wife of Steven Raimo) of Allentown and Jolyn (wife of Edward Ostrowski) of Muhlenberg; two daughters, Traci Wilson and Dena (wife of Jay Bowen) of Muhlenberg; three grandchildren, Tyler Wilson, Connor Dietrich and Madison Dietrich; a grandson, Jaxon and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Lori LeFebre and step-father, Edmund Palka. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr. Hershey, PA 17033. Ted's last wishes were for his doctors to use him as a tool to help others suffering from this grave disease and donated his body for medical research to Humanity Gifts Registry; Drexel University College of Medicine, West Reading, PA. A memorial will be held in his name at Gouglersville Fire Co., 475 Mohns Hill Rd, Reading PA 19608 on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. The family of Theodore wish to extend sincere thanks to his nurse Karen from Tower Health Home Care and the Oncology Dept at Hershey Medical Center, most especially Dr. Sasha Waldstein and Dr. Megan Wheeldan, who treated him with kindness and dignity and appreciated his gentle and brave ways. MARK J HUMMEL Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.  Online photos and memories can be shared at www.markjhummelfuneralhome.com

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