Gerald Hamilton

Gerald E. Hamilton, 82, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Monday morning, May 24, 2021 at ManorCare Health Services. Born February 21, 1939 in Letterkenny Township, he was a son of the late Rankin R. and Mary J. Mackey Hamilton. He was a graduate of the former St. Thomas High School and served honorably in the US Air Force. Early in his life Gerald had worked as a plumber. He then went to work for Conrail and later Norfolk Southern retiring as a safety officer after nearly 30 years with the railroad. He was a faithful member of King Street United Brethren Church and the Men’s Burton Bible Class. He enjoyed serving as an usher and greeter as well as occasionally driving the church van. He was a member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW, Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion, Hume-McNeil-Byers AmVets Post 224, and the Marine Corps League, all in Chambersburg. Gerald served as President of the St. Thomas High School Alumni Association. He enjoyed golf and gardening and especially liked helping his family and friends. His wife, Donna Joyce Pheil Hamilton, whom he married October 26, 1968, preceded him in death on May 30, 2011.

He is survived by his daughter, Crystal L. Fennen and husband James Fennen, II of Chambersburg; three grandchildren, Lauren A. Ackerman and husband Ryan, Adam H. Fennen and wife Alexandria, and Alexander Q. Fennen; as well as his great-grandson, Landyn Ackerman. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by twelve brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, May 28, 2021 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Ronald Cook will officiate. Interment with military honors conducted by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday and from 10:00-11:00 AM Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Primetimers, c/o King Street Church, 56 North Second Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.