Mr. David J. Shatzel, 78, died on May 8, 2022 in St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, N.J. surrounded by his loving family.
Visiting will be in the Prout Funeral Home (370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona) on Friday, May 13 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. with a Fireman’s Service at 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Lakeside Avenue, Verona on Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m.
Born in Rochester, N.Y., he was a resident of Caldwell, Cedar Grove and Verona before moving to Mt. Arlington in 2017.
He was a 1961 graduate of Essex Catholic High School. Following graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years.
Mr. Shatzel worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 40 years and served as the postmaster in Roseland from 1980 to 1987 and in Cedar Grove from 1987 to 2001.
He was a faithful member of the Verona Volunteer Fire Department, the Verona Rescue Squad, the Cedar Grove Fire Department and the Caldwell Fire Department. He was also past president of the Montclair Postal Credit Union and member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and Essex & Hudson Postmaster’s Association.
Mr. Shatzel was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Marita (nee Murray) Shatzel.
He is survived by his loving children, Stephen J. Shatzel and his wife, Tracy, Eileen S. Richards and her husband, Kevin, and Brian D. Shatzel; and cherished grandchildren, Victoria E. Richards, Kaitlyn E. Shatzel, Kiley M. Shatzel, Madelyn G. Richards and Abigail E. Shatzel. He is also survived by his siblings, Leo, Susan, Bill and Marilyn.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Fire Department, 880 Bloomfield Ave., Verona, NJ 07044 or Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona, NJ 07044 would be appreciated.
Condolences may be left at www.proutfuneralhome.com.
