George E. Gearhart Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

George Edward Gearhart, 86, of 545 Weaver Avenue, Chambersburg, PA, died Wednesday, December 14, in the Waynesboro Hospital after battling Alzheimer’s disease. Born May 20, 1930, in Chambersburg, PA, he was the son of the Late Arthur and Stella Draper Gearhart. George attended the Chambersburg Area High School. Following school he served in the United States Army as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. He was employed at the Ideal Cleaners (later called the Rocket Cleaners) in Chambersburg, PA, where he met his future wife. Future employment included a Dip Tank Operator in the Paint Room at TB Wood’s, Inc. and a Security Guard at Wilson College. George was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chambersburg. He was the Vice President of VFW Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 Board of Directors, Past Commander of the Post, and Captain of the VFW Honor Guard. George also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. After family, his love was the VFW where he spent time providing service and volunteering his time through a variety of activities. George was a VFW Bronze Legacy Life Member; he received the 1998 National Aide-De- Camp Recruiting Award which was presented for individual recruiting achievements, and was recognized as an All American Post Commander in 1998 for meeting standards in recruiting, programs, and veteran’s assistance – this is the highest achievement given by the Commander in Chief of the VFW. He also enjoyed dancing, softball, playing cards, and making people laugh. George was preceded in death by his wife Josephine Myers Gearhart, whom he married June 30, 1956, after a three year courtship. He is survived by two children Deborah Jo Gearhart, Chambersburg, PA; and John A. Gearhart and wife Jeanette, Chambersburg, PA; siblings, Connie Brown and Dolly Osterman, Chambersburg, PA; Dee Sellers and husband Jack, Fayetteville, PA; sister in laws, Dorothy Gearhart, Chambersburg, PA; and Pat Withers Myers, Sun City, CA; seven grandchildren, Melissa Jo Knepper, Camp Hill, PA; Joshua Knepper, Boiling Springs, PA; Tyler Gearhart, Zachary Gearhart, Clayton Gearhart, Ashley Burkett, and Lynsay Coons, all of Chambersburg, PA; 14 great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. His siblings Ken Gearhart and Joyce Peters, of Chambersburg, PA, preceded George in death. A funeral will be held at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 26 West Commerce Street, Chambersburg, PA, The Rev. Dr. Neal O. Hively will officiate. The family will receive friends at a viewing from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at Trinity. MilitaryHonors will be provided by the Charles Nitterhouse Post VFW 1599. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 5051 Letterkenny Road West, Chambersburg, PA 17201. George is remembered by many as a man who would give them anything - and were blessed to have known him.For God, for Family, and for Country…at ease Solider. Online condolences at www.sellersfuneralhome.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George E. Gearhart, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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George E. Gearhart

May 20, 1930 - December 14, 2016