Craig Byron Schadler

Craig Byron Schadler, age 86, of Crossville, Tennessee, passed away on January 21, 2025, at Cumberland Medical Center. Mr. Schadler was born on May 5, 1938, in Allentown, PA, son of William Byron Schadler and Kathryn Emily Wragg. Craig was very young compared to his actual age, and didn't sit still. He had MANY skills, but at heart, he was a farmer first. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Camp (Michael); sons, Mitchell Schadler (Belinda), and Arnold Schadler (Laura); grandchildren Chelsea, Eric, Elizabeth, Samantha, Sarah, Ryan, Bo, Luke, Drew, and Zachary; sister, Darlene Gibbs (Andrew); nieces Andrina and Erica; favorite aunt, Nancy Fries; and several great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved son, Tom Schadler (Martha), and parents. He was a very humble man and most didn’t know that Craig was a World Champion horseshoe pitcher (he excelled at bowling as well). He competed for decades and it was a horseshoe tournament that brought him to Crossville, where he has loved calling home for over ten years. Once finding it, he never wanted to leave this wonderful community and resisted several attempts to lure him to Maine. A great and resourceful outdoorsman, Craig found much joy in walking his loyal dog, Reba, fixing anything mechanical, hunting, fishing, restoring classic cars, and sharing the fruits (and veggies ;-) of his gardening labor with his friends, neighbors, barber, and anyone else from whom it would glean a smile. Having been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, Craig was extremely grateful for Crossville’s incredible public (yet very personalized) bus system, UCHRA, its drivers, schedulers, and passengers alike. Thank you, UCHRA, for allowing this very active man to keep getting out & about after putting his car keys on hold! Craig continuously helped others and wanted nothing in return. To know him was to love him. He still kept in touch with his dear friends from elementary school (he thought the world of you, Schwanke!) as well as so many other amazing folks that he befriended over the years, including his neighbor Anne, who's mail he hand-delivered almost daily, and his fellow gear head compadre, Rick. A summer celebration of life is being planned at this time. Donations are not expected but, if desired, can be made in his honor to: Cumberland County UCHRA, 73 Methodist Campground Loop, Crossville, TN 38555 ~Or~ A Time 4 Paws, 594 Cook Rd & 1241 West Ave, Crossville, TN 38555 ~Or~ American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515 Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service.