WARREN E. “HASS” HASSINGER
MILLERSBURG – Warren Elvin “Hass” Hassinger, 95, of Millersburg, died May 6, 2022, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East.
He was born on December 12, 1926 in Gratz, Pennsylvania, and was the only child of the late Allen Hassinger and Laura [Koppenhaver] Hassinger.
Warren was married to the late Miriam [Boyer] Hassinger for 63 years. He was preceded in death by his son-in- law, Duane D. Billow.
Warren graduated from Millersburg High School as the town of Gratz in those days only had a 3 year high school. While at Gratz High School , Warren and his teammates played baseball with Carl Scheib who went on to play with Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics and was the youngest player in American League History.
After graduation, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S Navy and was trained as a Navigator and was ultimately assigned to the to U.S. Canisteo Navy Tanker in the midst of World War II
After an honorable discharge in 1946, he had a choice under the GI Bill to accept an education or a house. Warren chose to get the education and graduated from Shippensburg State College with a teaching degree.
At Shippensburg, Warren played baseball for four years as a pitcher and was famous for his knuckleball. Warren played professional baseball in the New York Penn League and continued playing for 28 years in local town leagues.
In 1950, Warren began his teaching career at Mahanoy Joint High School. At Mahanoy Joint High School, he was a teacher, principal, and baseball coach where he was proud of winning 6 championships. In 1953, he got his Master’s degree from Bucknell University and in 1963 got his Supervisory Principal [certification] from Penn State University.
In 1969, he became Superintendent of Line Mountain School District and retired in 1980 after daughter number 2 ( Dianne) graduated from Mansfield State College and went on to teach for 33 years at Shikellamy. Daughter number 1,(Gail) graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1976 and went on to teach 33 years at Upper Dauphin. His granddaughter Holly Scheib graduated from Lycoming College and is currently a teacher at Line Mountain School District. His grandson, Brandon Knarr, followed Warren’s love for baseball and is currently a professional baseball pitcher in Wisconsin with the Milwaukee Brewers farm system and also has graduated with a Business Degree from Northeastern University.
Warren enjoyed hosting many family reunions at his Shangri-La Cabin in Hickory Corners.
In Warren’s later years, he enjoyed many sunsets at the Susquehanna River with Betty, going to Holly and Brandon’s sporting events, playing cards, table games, fishing, hunting, and the senior games where he was extremely competitive in tennis.
As a member of the greatest generation, Warren gave speeches at local high schools on Veteran’s Days about ” The Greatest Generation” and his experiences in World War 2.
He was very active in the church and was a Sunday School Teacher and was very proud of his perfect attendance records where it is is rumored that he set the record of over 15 years of perfect attendance.
Warren was a member of St. John’s Church, Berrysburg, Susquehanna Lodge No. 364 F&AM, Millersburg, Bernie Romanoski Hall of Fame, Dutch Supper Club, Masonic Lodge, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, American Legion, Millersburg, and a life member of the Gratz VFW.
Warren ” Hass” as he was known by in his younger years and “Pa Pa” in his older years will be sadly missed by his family, students, and friends that he touched and influenced in his lifetime as there are too many to mention. He was truly a member of “The Greatest Generation” who was born in the depression era of the 1920’s, served his country with Dignity in World War II , and served the public with his teaching career in education.
He is survived by his 2 daughters Gail Billow of Millersburg and Dianne Knarr and her husband Derl Knarr of Summerfield, Florida, his grandson Brandon Knarr of Summerfield, Florida, and his granddaughter Holly Scheib and her husband Corey Scheib of Lykens, and his two great grandchildren….
The family will receive family and friends on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd. – Millersburg from 6 – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran “Hill” Church on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM, with a viewing preceding the service from 10-11:00 am. Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
________________________________________
Obituary and photo (colorized) from Minnich Funeral Homes.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.