Gerald V. Warnecke

WEST YORK - Gerald V. "Jerry" Warnecke, 94, died at 12:35 p.m. Friday, November 2, 2007 at the York Lutheran Home at Sprenkle Drive. He was the husband of Ruth M. (Flohr) Warnecke with whom he celebrated a 20th wedding anniversary on May 2, 2007 and was the husband of the late Mabel (Krone) Warnecke, who died January 12, 1986. A Celebration of Life Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at Paradise Holtzschwamm Church, 6777 Lincoln Highway, Thomasville with his pastor, the Rev. Thomas D. Bellis, officiating. Burial with a Flag Presentation Ceremony by the York County Veterans Honor Guard will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 1551 Kenneth Rd., York with Masonic Rites at 7:45 p.m. Viewing will also be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. A special tribute will also be extended by members of the Lincolnway Fire Company. Mr. Warnecke was born April 3, 1913, in West York. He was the son of the late Frank H. and Carrie S. (Royer) Warnecke. He was employed as a truck driver / mechanic with the former Harry A. Blades Inc. in York for 27 years until retiring on December 31, 1992 as the company's Assistant Manager. He was a member of Teamsters Local #430. He was a member of Paradise Holtzschwamm Church and the Old Paradise Holtzschwamm Union Church. He was a member of Lincolnway Fire Company in West Manchester Twp. and served as the Company's first Fire Chief for 20 years, from 1952 to 1972. He was a life member of both the Reliance Fire Company in West York and the International Association of Fire Chiefs and was also a member of the Keystone State Fire Chiefs Association. He was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for 35 years and served with the U.S. 2nd Army 935th Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company in Europe during World War II. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Warnecke was a member of the Riverside Lodge #503 F&AM of Wrightsville; Zembo Temple in Harrisburg; Valley of Harrisburg; the York County Shrine Club; and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon #30. He was a former member of the Viking Athletic Association and Hawks Club and was a member of the former Lincolnway Lions Club. He was also a member of the AARP #3875 in Dover and was a 50 year member of the Shiloh American Legion Post #791. In addition to his wife, Mr. Warnecke leaves two sisters, Thelma Attig and husband, James of Dallastown and June Kahley and husband, Bernard of York; a brother, Frank Warnecke of York; two step daughters, JoAnn Bowers and husband, Robert of Dover and Jeanne Golden and husband, Larry of Odesa, Florida; two step sons, John Miller and wife, Sandra of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Jay Miller and wife, Lauran of Swanee, Georgia; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews including his beloved niece, Betty Hoover and husband, Ralph of West York. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Albright. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 140 Roosevelt Ave., Suite 208, York, PA 17404 or the Arthritis Foundation, 3544 North Progress Ave., Suite 204, Harrisburg, PA 17110.