Charles Wesley Shreiner, Jr.
August 3, 1922 - August 22, 2004
Charles Wesley Shreiner, Jr. - From a Portrait in the Chapel
Dr. Charles Wesley Shreiner, Jr.
Retired CFS Headmaster, 82
Dr. Charles Wesley Shreiner Jr. 82, retired Headmaster of The Church Farm School, died Sunday at Dunwoody Village, in Newtown Square, PA after a brief illness. Dr. Shreiner was the son of The Rev. Dr. Charles Wesley Shreiner, founder of The Church Farm School, and his wife Mary Cardwell Shreiner.
Dr. Shreiner graduated from the Episcopal Academy in 1941 and distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete. Episcopal honored him as Alumnus of the Year in 1982 and inducted him into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. Shreiner was honored to serve as a Trustee at EA for more than 20 years.
Dr. Shreiner attended Princeton University from 1941 until 1943 and then served in the U.S. ARMY from 1943 until 1945 during World War II. Dr. Shreiner proudly served in the 32nd Division Artillery. While serving in Australia, New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, and Japan, Shreiner was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning from war, Shreiner entered Temple University and graduated from the School of Business Administration in 1949. Shreiner was elected one of six outstanding seniors and awarded the Outstanding Athlete Trophy.
Dr. Shreiner was faced with the choice of a professional baseball career or joining his father at The Church Farm School. Dr. Shreiner’s entire professional career was spent at The School beginning in 1949. He was eventually appointed Headmaster in November of 1964, after his father’s death. Shreiner continued to serve in this capacity until he retired to Cape May, New Jersey and Fort Myers, Florida in 1987.
Dr. Shreiner was awarded an honorary L.H.D. and L.L.D. from Widener and Temple University respectively. Shreiner served as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools and President of the National Association of Episcopal Schools. Dr. Shreiner was a member of The Headmasters Association, the Boarding Schools Headmasters Association, Philadelphia Area Headmasters Association and The Union League of Philadelphia.
Shreiner served on numerous boards in the Philadelphia area including: the Chester County Hospital, The National Bank of Chester County, and the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. As a member of St. Paul’s Church, West Whiteland, Dr. Shreiner served for many years as both a vestry member and Rector’s Warden. He was also an active member of St. Michael and All Angels Church, Sanibel, Florida. Dr. Shreiner’s many interests included salt-water fishing, small game hunting, golf, bowling, and figure skating.
Dr. Shreiner is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley McKee Shreiner of Newtown Square, son Charles III (Donna) of Exton, two daughters Stacey Shreiner Kley (Bill) and Alix Shreiner Markee (Jim) both of Chester Springs, and eight grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his sister Mary Jane Shreiner Brown, and granddaughter Kristina Lynne Kley. Services will be held in the Chapel of the Atonement on the Church Farm School campus on Route 30 in Exton, Saturday morning, August 28, at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to The Church Farm School, PO Box 2000, Paoli, PA 19301.
(Variations on this text appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer and Fort Myers, FL newspapers - possibly others, also.)