Henry E. 'Skip' Gerhart

Henry E. “Skip” Gerhart, 82, of Jonestown, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 14, 2014, at the Lebanon Valley Home, Annville. He was the husband of the late Jean A. (Kreider) Gerhart, to whom he was married to for 47 years. Born in Lebanon, on November 14, 1931, he was the son of the late Henry B. and Frances R. (Brand) Gerhart. He was the President and owner of the former E. H. Gerhart Co., Inc., Jonestown. He was the fourth generation of the Gerhart family to carry on what-was originally founded as a coal, feed and lumber business in 1902. Following the sale of the family home improvement and feed business, he became a fire equipment salesman for Safety Supply America in Reading and was also the Regional Sales representative for American LaFrance Fire Apparatus. Skip also served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict being assigned to the United States Air Force Band and the Singing Sergeants in Washington D.C. Skip was a lifelong active member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ, Jonestown, where he had served as an Elder and Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and served on the Church Consistory. Skip served over 50 years as St. John’s choir director. He was an honorary life member of the Perseverance Fire Company, Jonestown for more than 60 years, where he had served as the Fire Chief and held many leadership positions including the Board of Directors. He enjoyed documenting the fire departments history and adding items of historical interest to the company’s Museum. Skip also was a member of the Lebanon County Fireman's Association, Lebanon County Fire Chief's Association, and was a former member of the Lebanon County Fire School Committee. He was a member of the Mt. Olivet Masonic Lodge #704 since 1953, and of the Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Temple, Harrisburg. Skip was the former longtime director and member of the Jonestown Male Chorus for over 50 years. He volunteered with the Jonestown Ambulance and was the former Emergency Management Agency local coordinator for Jonestown Borough. Skip served on numerous civic organizations including the recent Spirit of Jonestown Parade Committee and the 250th Jonestown Anniversary Parade Committee. He was a past president of the Northern Lebanon High School Band Parents and former President of the Jonestown High School Alumni Assoc. Skip graduated from Jonestown High School 1949 and then attended Mercersburg Academy and was a 1954 graduate of the University of Maryland where he was the student conductor of the University of Maryland Band. Skip was an avid model train enthusiast, loved photography, traveling and enjoyed woodworking. He is survived by his sons, Timothy H. husband of Jill A. (Hetrick) Gerhart of Sterling, Virginia, grandsons Benjamin B. and Andrew H., and son Michael D. Gerhart of Pottstown, Pennsylvania and grandsons Gregory M., Matthew D. Gerhart. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 11:00 AM at the St. John’s United Church of Christ, 120 W. Market St. Jonestown. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. On Monday evening there will be a viewing from 6:00 – 8:00 pm preceded by a Masonic Service at 5:45 pm at Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Rt. 72 & 5 Camp Meeting Rd., Jonestown. Interment will be at the Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Jonestown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s U.C.C. Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 688, Jonestown, PA 17038. www.kreamerlumfh.com

Henry E. 'Skip' Gerhart

November 14, 1931 - April 14, 2014