The Rev. Norman W. Schanck, a retired United Methodist pastor died on October 8. He was 75 years old.rnrnHe began his ministry as summer pastor of the Strathmere Methodist Church during the summers of 1955 and 1956. He became a full time pastor in 1957 when he was appointed as pastor of the Friendship and Porchtown Methodist Churches. He then served First Methodist of Newfield, St. Paul’s Methodist in Thorofare and then was appointed to the Bethesda United Methodist Church of Swedesboro, where he served for fourteen years. While in Swedesboro he became very active in the community serving on the Kingsway Board of Education, Woolwich-Swedesboro Fire Company where he was captain of the ambulance and rescue squad for several years and was honored as fireman of the year on three occasions. He was also a member of the Swedesboro Masonic Lodge. In 1977 he was appointed as pastor of the Christ United Methodist Church in Lakewood followed by serving as pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Pennsville. His last pastorate was for thirteen years at the Middletown United Methodist Church in Middletown, New Jersey. After his retirement he resided in Logan Township and enjoyed preaching whenever there was a need. He also served as interim pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church of Harrisonville and the Ferrell United Methodist Church for several months in 2006 and 2007.rnrnDuring his years in the pastorate he was active in the New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church serving as chairman of the Conference Committee on Property Insurance; Chairman of Church Extension Committee; the Conference Board of Ministry; the Conference Committee of Finance and Administration. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Methodist Homes.rnrnHis life was committed to Jesus Christ, his family and the Church. He was married to Winnifred L. Schanck for more than 53 years. They met while attending West Virginia Wesleyan College. From that marriage came a wonderful family: Richard (Karen) of Hollywood, Maryland, Bruce (Connie) of Howell, New Jersey, Jim (Kathy) of Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, Sandra Royster (Darryl) of Elkridge, Maryland and Lance (Mary Beth) of Pittsfield, Maine. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, and a brother, Everett of Casper, Wyoming. He loved to preach and loved the music of the church, especially the singing of the great hymns!rnrnThere will be a Service of Praise and Remembrance at Bethesda United Methodist Church of Swedesboro on Saturday October 23rd at 11:00 a.m. All are invited to attend and to greet the family in the Fellowship Hall following the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Bethesda Memorial Fund at Bethesda United Methodist Church 1433 Kings Highway, Swedesboro New Jersey, 08085. Tell a great story about Norman at lifecelebrationstudio.comrnrnrnrn – See more at: https://sweeneyfamilyroom.com/norman-w-schanck/#sthash.pz3Plbvc.dpuf