Samuel M. Samsel, Sr., 60, of Lebanon, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital. He was the husband of Shirley A. (Mullen) Samsel.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on December 27, 1959, Samuel was the son of the late Chester Samsel and Eileen Rakosky.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children – Samuel M. Samsel, Jr., Na’ Tasha N. Samsel, Cathleen L. Samsel, and Tabitha S. Campbell; 13 grandchildren; two brothers, and two sisters.

Not many people can say at 8 years old they found the love of their lives. If you were to hear him tell it, Sam would say he couldn’t be without her, even then. Years later, he would marry his best friend, Shirley. In 39 years of marriage’s rewards and trials, they had grown more in love with each other than ever before. Together they raised children and grandchildren that he loved more than they could ever imagine. Husband, Father, Pop-Pop – these are titles that he has defined and lived up to with his mind and heart set on God. He held his siblings, nieces, nephews, and all he considered family and friends so close to his heart and always in his prayers.

For anyone that has ever met Sam, he has left an imprint on their life. Whether it was his humor, wisdom, or his heart he always made an impression with whomever he encountered. He was proud to be a Veteran in the United States Navy, where he was a part of the commissioning crew of the U.S.S. Oliver Hazard Perry FFG7. Also, he was a very proud member of Calvary Chapel, Lebanon, where he was active in serving our community and cared dearly for his church family. He evangelized to any and everyone he could about the Good News. No matter what part of his life you knew him from, his heart was that if nothing else, you’d know the love, grace, and mercy that he had from his Lord and Savior, Jesus. Sam has experienced many things in life but I know his greatest joy was running to his Lord and hearing, “well done my good and faithful servant.”

As he would have wanted, if you have not already, no matter where you are in life, we ask that, in prayer, you would open up your heart to God, repent, ask Jesus into your heart, accept Him as the Lord and Savior of your life, and turn away from sin.

We will forever love and miss you always!

Samuel’s service will be held at Calvary Chapel, 740 Willow St., Lebanon, PA on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com