Richard Shamel

The Reverend Dr. Richard Isaac Shamel, 88, slipped the bonds of earth to ascend into Heaven this past Sunday, November 18, 2018. A true man of God, he is now firmly in the arms of Jesus.

Rev. Shamel was born May 26, 1930 in Urichsville, Ohio, to Clarence Florentine Shamel and Jean Cross Shamel. He attended schools in Urichsville and Gnadenhutten, Ohio, graduating magna cum laude in 1948. He matriculated to Ohio State University and graduated with a degree in mathematics and English in 1951, planning to be a schoolteacher. God intervened, and Richard received the call to the ministry and attended Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pa., graduating in 1954. It was there that he met the love of his life and partner in missions, June Ardell Zimmerman. They were married August 13, 1955 in Coopersburg Moravian Church, Richard’s first call. They went on to serve three churches in New York City: New Dorp Beach, Midland Beach and Tremont Terrace. In 1968 he was called to the mission field in the West Indies, serving several churches on the island of Antigua, most notably Spring Gardens and Gracefield, and was also the Superintendent of all of the twelve churches there. Health problems forced a premature conclusion of his mission work and he returned to the United States. From 1973 to 1995 he served three North Carolina churches: Moravia, New Eden and Providence. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in 1992, an achievement which gave him great satisfaction. He retired in 1995 after forty years of ministry but continued to be a supply pastor at Mayodan, Hope, Bethesda, Macedonia, Union Cross and Prime of Peace until failing health forced the conclusion of his endeavors.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, June; his parents; brothers Chester, Bruce and James Shamel, and sister Ruth Hamic; and a granddaughter Sara Shamel. He leaves to mourn his passing three sons: Paul (Dianna), Steven (Tammy) and Carl (Melanie); six grandchildren: Benjamin, Samuel, Aubrey, Diane, Danielle and Dylan; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff of Homestead Hills for the excellent care they provided for Richard. While he will be missed by those who knew him we can take solace in the knowledge that he is now with both his wife whom he loved dearly and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he served faithfully all his life.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The family will receive friends 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday, November 23, 2018, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. A funeral service will be conducted in his honor 10:00 AM Saturday, November 24, 2018, at Macedonia Moravian Church, officiated by Rev. Zach Dease and Bishop Graham Wrights. Inurnment will follow the service in the church graveyard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Sunnyside Ministries, 319 Haled Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, or Evangelical Congregational Church, 100 West park Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067. Online condolences may be made at www.Hayworth-Miller.com.