Gerald S. "Jerry" Gentile

Gerald S. "Jerry" Gentile, 74, of Camp Hill, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, East Pennsboro Township. He was the son of the late George and Ruth (Medland) Gentile, born on February 28, 1950, in Liège, Belgium.

Jerry grew up in a military family, spending his youth in Europe where he started schooling in Italy. Moving back to the U.S., he would go on to graduate from Cedar Cliff High School, Camp Hill, in 1970. He joined the U.S. Army, becoming a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division where he saw time in Panama and Turkey. After his service, he began employment with the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot, starting out as a guard and eventually working as a forklift and crane operator in the warehouse. Though he enjoyed his working years, he was quite happy taking advantage of early retirement.

His wife, Monta, was a longtime member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg, and Jerry was a supporter of the church, mowing the large property for many years. He thoroughly enjoyed mowing lawns, and in his retirement, started his own lawn care business. He was skilled on the pool table, playing in several local VFW and American Legion leagues. He also collected miniature replica cars and trucks, leaving behind an extensive collection.

Surviving Jerry is his wife of 48 years, Monta E. Gentile; his siblings, Elizabeth Stump (Kent) of Rapid City, SD, Richard A. Gentile (Kris) of Mechanicsburg, George A. Gentile of Sedley, VA, Michael G. Gentile of Mechanicsburg, and Thomas J. Gentile (Lora) of Severna Park, MD; and fourteen nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Gloria Jean VanDam.

A public viewing will be held at 12PM on Friday, August 23, 2024 at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland, with a funeral service beginning at 1PM in the funeral home. Entombment will immediately follow in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to an organization that benefited Jerry as a bladder cancer survivor: Penn State Health, ATTN: Theda Shaw, MC CH35, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. Please make checks payable to Penn State Health; and in the memo line, include “Bladder Cancer Support Group.”