Benny James Schoffstall

Benny Schoffstall was born in 1935 to Charles and Susan Schoffstall in the coal mining town of Gratz, PA. He was the youngest of 5 siblings. His oldest brother Blair died during the Korean war. His brother Charles is his lone surviving sibling and still lives near Gratz. His older sisters Ethel and Joanne have also both passed.

Benny left home at the age of 19 to join the United States Air Force. He worked as a medical corpsman in the service – at times providing lifesaving care during emergency air evacuations. He cared for the wounded in wartime, and the afflicted in peacetime. He served in the Air Force for 20 years, reaching the rank of Master Sargent. For anyone else, it would have been a career. For Benny, it was just the first of many careers.

He met his first wife, Eiko, while on deployment to Japan. He married her and adopted her daughter, Ruby. A few years later, Ben and Eiko adopted their son Charles while on another deployment to Japan. After Eiko’s diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in her 30s, Benny devoted his life to her care for the remainder of her life. She passed at age 63.

Benny met and married Chungja (Lee) in 1990. He added her two children, David and Karen, to the Schoffstall blended family. Benny and Chungja spent the next 33 years dancing, laughing, and traveling. They remained married until his passing, having celebrated their 33rd anniversary earlier this year.

Some would call Benny Schoffstall a happy workaholic. He worked multiple jobs throughout his life, never complaining about the load, and always showing cheer to those around him. He touched the lives of hundreds through work. After hanging up his Air Force uniform, Benny spent the next 45 years of his life striving to be a fashion pioneer. Sadly, his preferred attire of striped pants and cowboy boots never quite caught on.

Benny was a huge music fan and devotee of Elvis Presley. He loved singing “The King’s” songs. We loved watching him pretend to be Elvis, because it made him so darned happy.

Benny was a faithful Christian and active in his church, singing in the choir and ministering to those in need. We have referred to him in the past tense in this testament, only because his time on this earth is over. He believed in everlasting life, as we do, and know that we will be reunited in the future.

Benny Schoffstall was an example to everyone who knew him. He answered the call of life, never avoiding any responsibility, and meeting all challenges. He was a patriot, devoted husband, loving father, and faithful servant of God.Benny James Schoffstall was born on March 2, 1935, and called home on July 17, 2023.

Benny is survived by his wife, Chungja Schoffstall; children: Charles Schoffstall & wife Emily and Ruby Green & husband John; step-children: David Snow & fiancé Kathy Reyna (her children Makayla and Milyana), and Karen Snow; grandchildren: Kimi, Joseph, Benjamin, Logan, Brendan, Andrew, Avery and Ryann; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and George; as well as many other family members and dear friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICETHURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 202311:00 AMVILLAGE PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH3002 VILLAGE PARKWAYSAN ANTONIO, TX 78251