Gerald D. Geiger

Longtime Palmerton educator and librarian, Gerald D. Geiger, passed away peacefully on Friday February 16, 2018 at Heritage Hill Senior Community in Weatherly, Pennsylvania at the age of 89.  Jerry and his wife Margaret “Marge” (Donchez) Geiger recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They lived in Palmerton where Jerry taught English at the High School for 35 years. His students remember him fondly as the director of their school plays, as their senior class adviser, as a mentor, and as a teacher, whose classes were both fun and inspiring. Although Jerry loved classical music (and sports cars), his students recall at least several classes in which the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were featured.  After retiring, Jerry continued with his passion for reading in a second career as the Director of the Palmerton Library. Throughout his life, he was actively involved in community and charitable organizations, including the Palmerton Exchange Club and the Dr. Richard D. Williams Foundation. Jerry graduated from Allentown’s Central Catholic High School and Muhlenberg College, where his education was interrupted by active duty with the U.S. Army in Korea. He also attended the University of Toronto, the University of Chicago, and the U.S. Army War College.  His children recall that their parents’ home served as a social center for his former students and fellow teachers to listen to music, debate politics, and entertain international students. Jerry is also survived by his daughter, Juliet Altenburg, wife of Robert Altenburg of New Cumberland, PA; his son, Gerard J. Geiger, Esq. and his wife Karen, of Stroudsburg, PA; and his grandchildren, Emily and Timothy.  Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of 211 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 24, 2018 at 11 o’clock A.M. from St. Nicholas R.C.C. located at 1152 Oak Road Walnutport, Pennsylvania 18088, Monsignor Thomas Derzack to officiate. Friends may call in church from 9:30 A.M. until time of worship. Interment Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pennsylvania.  Memorials to: Palmerton Area Library Association 402 Delaware Ave.Palmerton, Pennsylvania 18071 Online registry and condolences