Obituaries
Obituary for Vincent V. Suppan
Vincent V. Suppan, 97 years, formerly of Whitehall, died Friday January 26th, 2018 at Neighborhood Hospice, West Chester, PA. He was the husband of the late Josephine E. (Setterberg) Suppan. Born in Nazareth, he was the son of the late Joseph A. and Helen P. (Grech) Suppan.
Vincent was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Catasauqua. He graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Music Education and from Columbia University with a M.A. in Speech and Drama. He taught English and Math in the Whitehall-Coplay School District from 1947-50 and 1953-55. He was then a speech teacher for Bucks County for 17 years, retiring in 1981. He was also an Associate Professor of Speech Pathology at West Chester University.
Vincent was a member of the Catasauqua Band since 1934 and conductor for 65 years from 1947 until 2013. He was a former member of the Pioneer & Marine Band in Allentown. He played with a German orchestra and dance band from 1936-61 and was a member of the Association of Concert Bands.
He was a semi-professional magician, a member of the Allentown Society of Magicians Ring 32, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, and the Magicians Alliance of Eastern States.
He was an Army veteran of WWII and the Korean War. Vince left West Chester University and enlisted in June of 1942 as a Pvt. 1st Class serving in the 101st Airborne Division, then reassigned to the XII Corps, 5th Infantry division, 10th Regiment, 46th Field Artillery Battalion, where he served as a forward air & ground observer, artillery officer & battalion command Liaison Officer. Landing D-Day +30, they formed up under General Patton’s 3rd army, and pushed across France in 16 days until reaching Metz France where a 23day battle occurred also involving the 90th and 95th Infantry divisions. After taking Metz they pushed into and across Germany ending in Czechoslovakia with the Axis surrender. Honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 as 1st Lieutenant, Vince continued to serve by joining the US Army Reserves and rose to the rank of Full Bird Colonel, retiring in 1980.
His decorations and citations include Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign, Europe/Africa/Middle East w/4 Battle Stars, Victory Medal, Army Occupation of Germany, National Defense, Armed Forces Reserve w/Hour Glass, Meritorious Service Medal US Army Reserves awarded for selfless dedication and great personal sacrifice from ’69-’74.
A member of the Military Order of World Wars, the Knights of Columbus of Allentown, and a lifetime member of the Fullerton Legion Post #367.
Survivors include 1st cousins David Roletter of Winston-Salem, NC., Joanne Wylie & Susan Coates of Richmond, VA, Kathy Roletter of Harrisonburg VA great nieces and nephews of the Grech & Setterberg families, and Godchild Rosalie Morgan of Barto, P.A.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held February 3rd, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 122 W. Union Street, Catasauqua, PA 18032. There will be a viewing February 3rd, also at St Mary’s from 10:00-11:00am. Memorial donations may be made to the church, the Catasauqua Band, Neighborhood Hospice, West Chester, PA. c/o the funeral home.
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Vincent was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Catasauqua. He graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Music Education and from Columbia University with a M.A. in Speech and Drama. He taught English and Math in the Whitehall-Coplay School District from 1947-50 and 1953-55. He was then a speech teacher for Bucks County for 17 years, retiring in 1981. He was also an Associate Professor of Speech Pathology at West Chester University.
Vincent was a member of the Catasauqua Band since 1934 and conductor for 65 years from 1947 until 2013. He was a former member of the Pioneer & Marine Band in Allentown. He played with a German orchestra and dance band from 1936-61 and was a member of the Association of Concert Bands.
He was a semi-professional magician, a member of the Allentown Society of Magicians Ring 32, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, and the Magicians Alliance of Eastern States.
He was an Army veteran of WWII and the Korean War. Vince left West Chester University and enlisted in June of 1942 as a Pvt. 1st Class serving in the 101st Airborne Division, then reassigned to the XII Corps, 5th Infantry division, 10th Regiment, 46th Field Artillery Battalion, where he served as a forward air & ground observer, artillery officer & battalion command Liaison Officer. Landing D-Day +30, they formed up under General Patton’s 3rd army, and pushed across France in 16 days until reaching Metz France where a 23day battle occurred also involving the 90th and 95th Infantry divisions. After taking Metz they pushed into and across Germany ending in Czechoslovakia with the Axis surrender. Honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 as 1st Lieutenant, Vince continued to serve by joining the US Army Reserves and rose to the rank of Full Bird Colonel, retiring in 1980.
His decorations and citations include Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign, Europe/Africa/Middle East w/4 Battle Stars, Victory Medal, Army Occupation of Germany, National Defense, Armed Forces Reserve w/Hour Glass, Meritorious Service Medal US Army Reserves awarded for selfless dedication and great personal sacrifice from ’69-’74.
A member of the Military Order of World Wars, the Knights of Columbus of Allentown, and a lifetime member of the Fullerton Legion Post #367.
Survivors include 1st cousins David Roletter of Winston-Salem, NC., Joanne Wylie & Susan Coates of Richmond, VA, Kathy Roletter of Harrisonburg VA great nieces and nephews of the Grech & Setterberg families, and Godchild Rosalie Morgan of Barto, P.A.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held February 3rd, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 122 W. Union Street, Catasauqua, PA 18032. There will be a viewing February 3rd, also at St Mary’s from 10:00-11:00am. Memorial donations may be made to the church, the Catasauqua Band, Neighborhood Hospice, West Chester, PA. c/o the funeral home.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
3
Feb
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
St Mary's Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
122 Union Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032
Service
Saturday
3
Feb
11:00 AM
St Mary's Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
122 Union Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Mary's Cemetery
Circle Drive & Poplar Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032
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