Freda A. Schwabenbauer

Freda Ann Schwabenbauer, age 93, of Clarion, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening October 14, 2025 at home surrounded by her family following a short illness. She was born November 6, 1931 in Marble, the daughter of the late Leo X. and Nellie Weaver Strickenberger. Freda was the last surviving member of her immediate family. After her graduation from Shippenville High School in 1949, Freda went to work at the Sylvania plant in Brookville for a number of years. Freda married Robert Schwabenbauer at St. Michaels Church in Fryburg on September 8, 1956. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage prior to Bob’s death in May of 2019. Freda and Bob lived at Greenville Ave Extension in Clarion where they raised their family. Freda was a self-taught cook, sewer, quilter, and canner. She especially enjoyed making meals out of the bounty of their garden. She made an excellent spaghetti sauce which she canned. It was a wonderful neighborhood to grow up in with large connected back yards where the neighborhood kids would get together for competitive games of football and moose ball. Freda’s sister Germaine lived two houses down from her. After her children were in school, Freda went to work at Owens-Illinois Glass Plant for over 22 years in the Selecting Department. She worked shiftwork, balancing taking care of her family of 6 children and work. Freda was best known for her tremendous work ethic. She had a generous spirit and would give you the shirt off her back. Freda enjoyed camping and vacations with family and friends. After her retirement, Freda and Bob took multiple vacations, including trips to Alaska, Florida, and the western states. Additionally, they took a trip to Germany, which they greatly enjoyed. Freda is survived by 4 children, Bob Schwabenbauer and his wife, Amy, of Weedville, Bill Schwabenbauer and his wife, Jill, of Springfield, VA, Deb Lutz and her significant other, Greg Tobin, of Oil City, and Sandy Porter and her husband, Eric, of Waynesboro. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Megan Petraska and husband, Andy, of Euclid, OH, Jessica Smith and husband, Wes, of Falls Creek, Julia Milord and husband, Andy, of Charlotte, NC, Laura Schwabenbauer and fiancée, Andrew Nickol, of Charlotte, NC, Hunter, Derek and Travis Porter of Waynesboro, Kierstin Porter and Desiree Porter of Waynesboro, and Haley Porter and her fiancée, Hunter Kaiser, of Waynesboro. Additionally, she was a great-grandmother to Adeline Petraska of Euclid, OH, Hudson Smith of Falls Creek, Molly Milord of Charlotte, NC, Adalai and Kailoh Wilder of Waynesboro, and Eden Topping and Odin Fogelsonger of Waynesboro. She was preceded in death by her sister, Germaine Schill, and brothers, Ken Strickenberger and Ben Strickenberger, her sons, Richard Schwabenbauer, who passed away in March of 1983, Ron Schwabenbauer, who passed away in November of 2021; and a son-in-law, Jim Lutz. Family and friends will be received from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion. Additional viewing will be held from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025 in the funeral home with Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 2 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion with Rev. Jason Feigh presiding. A reception will follow in the basement of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Rectory. Interment will take place at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to thank caregiver Kathy Dolan, and AseraCare Hospice for providing patient and loving care to Freda in her final weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Freda’s honor to AseraCare Hospice, 12664 Route 19 South Unit 1(A), Waterford, PA 16441.

Freda A. Schwabenbauer

November 6, 1931 - October 14, 2025