Nancy Keim Shappell

Nancy Keim Shappell, 81, of Exeter Township, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Magnolias of Lancaster. She was the wife of the late Donald E. Shappell, an Army veteran, who passed away July 13, 2013. Born in Reading, Nancy was the daughter of the late Walter and Mae (Keim) Brumbach, whom she loved dearly and traveled with all over the world. She was a 1961 graduate of Mount Penn High School and received her BS degree in Education from Kutztown State College in 1965 and a Masters in Education at a later date. Nancy was a teacher, like both her parents, and spent her entire 40 year career as an elementary school teacher at Tyson-Schoener Elementary School in Reading, from which she retired in 2004 after never having missed a day of work. Nancy loved teaching and collecting cars, but the main focus of her life was her love for animals of all kinds. She owned and loved too many to mention - dogs, cats, geese, ducks, birds hamsters and others. She also loved spending time at “The Bush”, her bungalow in the woods outside Fleetwood. She was preceded in death by her brothers Mark K. Brumbach and Dennis K. Brumbach in 2023. Nancy is survived by her cousins Anne Keim Gehret, wife of Scott Sechrist, of Downingtown; Elaine Keim Wallace, wife of David Wallace, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; niece Kelley Brumbach Westmoreland and nephews Scott Brumbach, Brad Brumbach and Brett Brumbach. She is also survived by her lifelong best friend, Pat Kerber of Reading. 

Celebration of Life Tribute Service will be held at Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, 6 Fairlane Road, Exeter Township, Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 am. Amy S. Landis, Celebrant, will officiate. The family will receive relatives and friends at Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, Monday from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Donations in honor of Nancy may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Berks County at 58 Kennel Drive, Birdsboro, PA 19508. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.