George A. Gerber, born June 7, 1927, died peacefully on the morning of October 7, 2026 (age 99) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, PA, with his beloved children by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents James R. Gerber and Blanche King Gerber as well as his nine sisters and three brothers.
George is survived by his loving wife of 76 years, Winifred Heilman Gerber, two children, Daryl J. Gerber of Palmyra, PA and Heather G. Gerber of West Chester, PA, 3 grandchildren, Erin McKinney (husband Marc McKinney)of Elizabethtown, PA, Kelly Searing (husband Karl of Allentown, PA) and Joshua Gerber (wife Erin Gerber) of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and six great-grandchildren, Maggie McKinney of Elizabethtown, PA, Bailey Searing of Allentown, PA, Qwinlan McKinney of Elizabethtown, PA, Ian Searing of Allentown, PA, Maliki McKinney of Elizabethtown, PA and Noah McKinney of Lebanon, PA.
George was an avid golfer and a highly competitive bridge player. He loved traveling with Winnie and visiting his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Winnie seemed to know everyone in Lebanon County.
George graduated from the Palmyra schools in 1945 and enlisted in the Navy during World War II even prior to his graduation. He was a carpenter for Hershey Estates from 1946 to 1948. He graduated from Millersville University in in 1952 and obtained Masters Degrees in Geography and in Earth and Space Science from Penn State University. He taught school at Annville-Cleona High School for 41 years before retiring in 1992.
He served as head coach of the Annville-Cleona Track and Field team for 30 years (1957 to 1986) and his teams record during that time was 305 wins versus 36 losses. He started Cross-Country ay Annville-Cleona and was the head coach from 1961 to 1998 and his teams accumulated 561 wins versus 96 losses. In both sports A-C was always the team with the fewest students in their school versus opposing teams. His Cross-Country teams won four PIAA State Championships. His Track teams won the Lebanon County Championship meet 18 times. All told his coaching career spanned five decades.
George became a PIAA Track and Field Official and Cross-Country official and served in that capacity for 33 years. He was the President of the Lebanon County Track and Field officials from 1990 until 2015. He was inducted into the Palmyra Sports Hall of Fame, the Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame as well as the State Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame along with the likes of Joe Namath and Arnold Palmer.
George was also the Manager of the Annville Cleona Swimming Pool for 26 years and he was a licensed school bus driver for 47 years.
He attended Trinity United Church of Christ where he served as Deacon and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. He loved the Lord and the gospels and especially the Ten Commandments.
Memorial services will be held Friday, October 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM at Trinity United Church of Christ, 40 West Pine St, Palmyra, PA.
Viewings will be held at the church on Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM and prior to the service Friday from 12 Noon till 2:00 PM.
Interment will be at Mount Annville Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Coach Gerber Award Committee which has supported scholarships at the Annville-Cleona High School every year for over 30 years. The address for mailing is 3112 Park Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. www.kreamerfuneralhome.com