Sara Ann (Vensel) Schnell

Sara Ann Schnell, 91, of Karns City, went to be with the Lord Friday morning February 6, 2026 at Quality Life Services in Sugarcreek. 

Sara was born in Kaylor on November 26, 1934.  She was the daughter of the late Alfred Ross and Bertha Lanterman Vensel.

She was a 1953 graduate of Fairview Township Karns City High School.  In her earlier years she was employed by James and Smith Insurance in East Brady and Penn Oil.  She was a devoted homemaker and enjoyed bowling, gardening, and walking 4-5 miles daily with her sister-in-law Roberta.  She was an avid doll, teapot, and thimble collector.  Sara was a longtime member of the Karns City United Methodist Church where she served as the custodian for many years.  She was a member of the church’s “Who Do’s” committee and the Red Hat Society.  In her later years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with her husband. 

Sara was married on May 8, 1959 to Lee Roy Schnell.  Mr. Schnell preceded her in death on July 23, 2025 after 65 years of marriage.

She is survived by her children: Valerie Paganelli and her husband, Jack, Dexter R. Schnell and his wife, Janice, all of Butler and Carla Jack and her husband, William “Bill” of Kittanning, and Misty Black and her husband, Kevin, of Chicora; six grandchildren, Jodi Dunlap and her husband, Eric, of Saxonburg, Brian Hobaugh and his wife, Heather, of Bruin, Addie Jack of Pittsburgh, Maisie Jack Barnhart and her husband, Alan, of Karns City, Lindsay Black Crilley and her husband, Shawn, of Fairview, and Logan Black of Chicora; six great grandchildren, Alexis and Tyson Dunlap, Liam and Cole Hobaugh, Lilah Barnhart, and Maverick Crilley.   She is also survived by a number of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five sisters: Peg Fair, Mary Wick, Mildred Freiters, Lois Campbell, and Doris Gray; two brothers: Don Bishop and Richard Vensel as well as a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. 

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main St. Karns City from 11am – 1pm Monday.  A funeral service will follow from the funeral home at 1pm with the Rev. Bev Roscoe, her church pastor, officiating.  Interment will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia.  Memorial contributions in Mrs. Schnell’s name may be made to the Karns City United Methodist Church P.O. Box 89 Karns City, Pa 16041.  To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.  

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