Obituaries

Christian Schimelfenig passed away on Saturday morning after an unimaginable tragedy. A Philadelphia resident and Clarks Summit native, he was only 23 years young.
Born on June 23, 1999, at Hershey Medical Center alongside his twin brother and lifelong best friend, Tucker, Christian was the adored son of Gary and Nancy (O’Hora) Schimelfenig of Clarks Summit. He attended Abington Heights High School where his kindness, tranquility and pure humor resonated with those around him, making him someone that friends were instantly drawn toward. Before his 2018 graduation from AHHS, Christian left his mark on the track having won the District 2 Championship in the 4X400m relay en route to Shippensburg University to race for the state championship.
He went on to study finance at West Chester University and, before graduating in 2022, he was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity where he also served as fraternity president. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Christian was accepted at the University of Pennsylvania where he was currently studying data science. Albeit a life ending much too soon, his impact on others and many accomplishments were surely well beyond his years.
Christian loved his sports, both as an athlete and as a spectator. Along with being extremely fast, he also loved playing basketball. He wasn’t one to pass up a good time, loved his friends and, above all else, adored his family, especially his parents, and brothers, Tucker, Alex, Matthew and Ian.
Christian and his twin brother, Tucker, were blessed not only by the love of their own family but also that of their best friend, Michael Comerford, and his family. Inseparable since grade school at Our Lady of Peace, the three were always searching for loose change to grab Manning’s milkshakes and wander about Clarks Summit; they were hardly ever apart.
Along with his parents, Christian is survived by his three brothers, Alex Schimelfenig and wife, Lyndsey, of Scott Twp.; Matthew Schimelfenig and fiancée, Augusta, of Philadelphia; and Ian Schimelfenig and Caroline Passalino, of Chicago, Ill.; a nephew and godson, Zayne Mark Schimelfenig; and a niece, Autumn Rose Schimelfenig; and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Christian was preceded in death by his grandparents, Eugene and Shirly (McGeever) Schimelfenig and William and Rose (Lally) O’Hora.
On Monday, April 24, Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn will celebrate a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial for both Christian and Tucker at Our Lady of Snows Parish, 301 State St. in Clarks Summit. Burial will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery in West Scranton. Those attending the funeral are asked to go directly to church.
On Sunday, April 23, family and friends may pay their respects to both Christian and Tucker at the Church of St. Benedict, 1849 Newton Ransom Blvd., Clarks Summit, 18411, from 3 to 6 p.m. where celebrating their lives is a prerequisite.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian and Tucker Schimelfenig Memorial Foundation, c/o any branch of PNC Bank.
Arrangements are under the care of the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main ave., Scranton.