1928
Willard
2016
Willard C. Gerber, Sr.
August 21, 1928 — May 3, 2016
Willard C. Gerber, Sr., father, grandfather & friend, 87 years of age of Race Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Salisbury Twp..
Widower of Dorothy L. (Arndt) Gerber who passed away on September 4, 2004.
Willard is survived by; sons, Willard C. Gerber, Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Tamaqua, David Gerber and his wife Cathy of San Clemente, CA; grandchildren, Janine Jones and her husband Morgan, Kelly Frantz and her husband Jason, Derek, and Jonathan Gerber; 4 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.
Willard attended Tamaqua High School and was a graduate of the University of Chicago, graduating with honors holding a certification as a draftsman. He was a member of Trinity U.C.C. of Tamaqua, and at one time served as Vice President of the Know Your Bible Spiritual Center of Pottsville.
Willard served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War, and was M.I.A. He was awarded various medals which included the Combat Infantry Badge, The Korean Service Medal including Three Battle Stars, and a Oak Leaf Cluster for Bravery in action. Upon his discharge from the service, Willard served in the Army Reserve.
A talented carpenter, Willard owned his own contracting company for many years until taking a job with the Lehigh & New England Railroad, which became The Reading Railroad, and was eventually acquired by Conrail. Willard last worked in the Engineering Department in sheet metal.
Upon retirement he worked part-time for the Tamaqua Area School District.
Willard was a member of the V.F.W.-Reese Post #1420 of Mahanoy City, The Tamaqua American Legion C.H. Berry Post #173, Amvets Babinets-Horowski Post #83 of Lansford.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, and was a talented musician having played guitar with many local orchestras.
Born Tuesday, August 21, 1928 in West Penn Township, the son of the late Amandus Albert, and Mary Jane (Daubenspeck) Gerber. Willard was also predeceased by sister, Mrs. Stella Faust; brothers, Leon, Earl, and Lester Gerber.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 2066 West Penn Pike, Rte. #309, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884.
A Funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock AM on Saturday May 7, 2016 from the funeral home, with Rev. Darryl Kensinger to officiate.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. , 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
Interment with Military Honors will held at Sky-View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
Trinity U.C.C.
22 Lafayette Ave.
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com .
Widower of Dorothy L. (Arndt) Gerber who passed away on September 4, 2004.
Willard is survived by; sons, Willard C. Gerber, Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Tamaqua, David Gerber and his wife Cathy of San Clemente, CA; grandchildren, Janine Jones and her husband Morgan, Kelly Frantz and her husband Jason, Derek, and Jonathan Gerber; 4 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.
Willard attended Tamaqua High School and was a graduate of the University of Chicago, graduating with honors holding a certification as a draftsman. He was a member of Trinity U.C.C. of Tamaqua, and at one time served as Vice President of the Know Your Bible Spiritual Center of Pottsville.
Willard served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War, and was M.I.A. He was awarded various medals which included the Combat Infantry Badge, The Korean Service Medal including Three Battle Stars, and a Oak Leaf Cluster for Bravery in action. Upon his discharge from the service, Willard served in the Army Reserve.
A talented carpenter, Willard owned his own contracting company for many years until taking a job with the Lehigh & New England Railroad, which became The Reading Railroad, and was eventually acquired by Conrail. Willard last worked in the Engineering Department in sheet metal.
Upon retirement he worked part-time for the Tamaqua Area School District.
Willard was a member of the V.F.W.-Reese Post #1420 of Mahanoy City, The Tamaqua American Legion C.H. Berry Post #173, Amvets Babinets-Horowski Post #83 of Lansford.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, and was a talented musician having played guitar with many local orchestras.
Born Tuesday, August 21, 1928 in West Penn Township, the son of the late Amandus Albert, and Mary Jane (Daubenspeck) Gerber. Willard was also predeceased by sister, Mrs. Stella Faust; brothers, Leon, Earl, and Lester Gerber.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 2066 West Penn Pike, Rte. #309, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884.
A Funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock AM on Saturday May 7, 2016 from the funeral home, with Rev. Darryl Kensinger to officiate.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. , 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
Interment with Military Honors will held at Sky-View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
Trinity U.C.C.
22 Lafayette Ave.
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard C. Gerber, Sr., please visit our flower store.
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