Gerald E. Serfass

Gerald (Jerry) Emmanuel Serfass was born April 12, 1936 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to the late Emmett Emmanuel and Jennie Gertrude (Handlong) Serfass. Jerry is the third of four children, whom preceded him in death; Betty Rader, Leonna Miller, and Sherwood Serfass.

A Viewing will be held from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc. in Red Lion. Masonic Rites will be provided by Hanover Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons at 12:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Tribute Service with Rev. Dr. John E. Fureman officiating. Burial will follow at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens and Full Military Honors will be presented by York County Veterans Honor Guard.

Jerry met Carol Ann Atkins on a sales call meeting with her family. He went back to visit monthly to collect the insurance premiums in person so he could see Carol. He was married to the love of his life, the late Carol Ann (Atkins) Serfass on April 11, 1959 at St. Johns United Church of Christ in Red Lion, PA and celebrated 55 years of marriage together before her passing on July 17, 2014. They had many fond memories of extensive travels in the US, Canada, Mexico, India, Caribbean Islands, Europe, and their favorite most magical place… Disney World. Jerry is survived by his three children, Cheri Roth of Versailles, OH, Gerald Serfass II and his wife Claudia of York, and Jennifer Dean and her husband John of Dublin, OH; five grandchildren, Andrew Roth and his wife Kristen of Columbus, OH, Elizabeth Poeppelman and her husband Phil of Versailles, OH, Alexandra Dean of Chicago, IL, Ian Dean of Winter Park, Florida, and Gavin Dean of Dublin, OH; and three great-grandchildren, JJ, Amelia, and Katherine. Jerry is also survived by his significant other, Gertraude Barton. Over the last eight years, they have traveled extensively to Europe, taking cruises and beyond and enjoyed relaxing times in Florida. He is preceded in death by a son-in-law Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Roth.

Jerry grew up on a dairy farm in West Portel, NJ and Fork’s Township in Easton, PA. Jerry had a great love of music and was an excellent trumpet player all through high school and college. He even had his own polka band and 17-piece dance band. In 1954, Jerry graduated from Easton High School (Easton, PA) and then joined the Army. Jerry graduated from the Navy School of Music and entered the US Army Field Band touring the US and Europe for three years. During this same time, he attended Maryland University and studied Accounting.

In 1957, Jerry joined Baltimore Life as an insurance agent. He was a top agent there and moved up to management through his nine years with this company. During that time, he graduated from the Life Underwriting Training School, became a licensed agent/broker, and a registered Health Underwriter. In 1967, Jerry joined Nationwide Insurance and opened his own agency in Jefferson, PA. Jerry loved to serve his customers and it wasn’t uncommon for him to get calls at home and leave dinner to go help someone in need. He grew this agency from scratch to be one of the biggest agencies at Nationwide. He was a charter member of the Agent Hall of Fame, inducted in 1992 (Hall of Fame is the top agents at Nationwide) and he retired as the Dean of President’s Club. Jerry achieved the highest honors of President’s Clubs and Champion Clubs every year he was with Nationwide. He was also the first Million Dollar producer in Nationwide’s history and went on to achieve the Million Dollar Round Table many years in a row. Jerry also served on Agent’s Advisory Council and was awarded Nationwide’s Community Service Award.

Jerry enjoyed time with his family and grandkids, going to see their sports, school activities, concerts and celebrating holidays. Jerry loved traditions and creating special times at the holidays. At Halloween, he loved to dress up and scare the kids at their haunted houses. Jerry also loves to decorate for Christmas, making all of the kids smile by decorating their yard with thousands of beautiful lights. He and Carol loved to sit and look at the Christmas lights from their kitchen window. Jerry also had fun celebrating New Years Eve with his grandkids. He did this by running around and making as much noise as possible at midnight. Jerry loved photography and took thousands of photographs through the years. He took so many that his grandkids call him “the Pappy-ratzi” for paparazzi.

Jerry was very active in his community and loved to serve and help others. He was a member of United Church of Christ in Red Lion, PA since 1959 and served as the President and VP of Consistory for many years. He was a past member of Jefferson Lion’s Club, life member of Jefferson Fire Company, Sportsman Club, and held offices in the York Associate of Life Underwriters. Has served for 30+ years on the board of Hoffman Home, a residential psychiatric facility for children, located in Gettysburg, PA. During this time, he served as President and VP several times. More recently, Jerry became of 32nd Degree Mason of the York Rite, Hanover Lodge 348 and Hanover Consistory.

Over the years, Jerry has been an avid golfer and enjoyed many fun outings and trips with friends. His favorite memories with his siblings were staying up all night laughing and playing cards. Jerry loved a good polka and to dance the night away.

We learned a lot from Jerry… he had a big heart and generous spirit; always willing to give his time and money to someone in need. His caring spirit was shone in the loving care he took of Carol throughout her fight with pancreatic cancer and the support and love he provided to his kids and grandkids. He taught polite persistence and perseverance to achieve difficult goals and overcome obstacles. Even when he was fighting end stages of heart failure, he always remained positive despite the odds. He always saw the good in people and his glass was always half full. He was the energizer bunny with endless positive energy. He didn’t take himself too seriously. He loved to be silly, whether its dancing, goofing around with his grandkids or dressing up to make us laugh. He had a deep love of people and passion for helping others.

We will miss Jerry and remember him fondly and how he made us smile and changed all of our lives for the better.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to to Hoffman Home for the Youth at https://hoffmanhomes.com/

Send condolences at HeffnerCare.com

CLICK HERE TO SEND FLOWERS

FLOWER IMAGE