Russell R. Gearhart, 77, of McAlisterville died at 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at the M.S. Hershey Medical Center.
Born on February 8, 1939 in Monroe Twp., Juniata County, he was a son of the late William I. and Mildred G. (Page) Gearhart. On March 31, 1990 he married his surviving wife, Lynetta A. (Flanders) Gearhart with, whom he was blessed to share more than 26 years of marriage. His first wife Charlotte E. (Rhodes) Gearhart preceded him in death.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Timothy Gearhart and his wife Kathy, of Milton, Dawna Pyle and her husband Guy, of McAlisterville, Stephen Flanders and his wife Jennifer, of St. Louis, MO, Barry Gearhart, of McAlisterville, 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
A daughter, Brenda Marie Gearhart, five brothers, William, Carl, Norman, Raymond and James Gearhart, and two sisters, Dawna Goodling, Pauline Pannebaker, preceded him in death.
Russell was a graduate of East Juniata High School, Cocolamus and was a member of the Crawford-Brubaker VFW Post 5863, Mifflintown. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Gearhart was employed as a baker and later as a cook for the Selinsgrove Center, Selinsgrove until his retirement.
He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and was well known for the bread and sticky buns that he baked. His family will greatly miss their husband, father and pappy.
A visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. with a memorial service following at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 26, 2016 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville, where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council. Interment will be private and at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to the American Heart Association, 1019 Mumma Road, Wormleysburg, PA 17043.
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