Sgt. Major Thomas E. Zerbe

Sgt. Major Thomas E. Zerbe, Jr., US Army, Ret., 92, of Fairview Twp., New Cumberland, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 in his residence with his loving family at his side.

He was a US Air Force and US Army veteran serving on active duty in Tripoli, Libya during the Korean War with the US Air Force where he served with the 15^TH Reconnaissance Technical Squadron.   He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1974 and completed a 20-year military career as an Army Reserve Staff Sergeants Major in the 1079^th USAR Garrison.  Subsequently, he served with the 315^th Engineer Group, Combat and Combat Support Headquarters element, and the 3^rd BN 42^nd Field Artillery Battery of the 157^th Artillery Brigade.  Tom also served 34 years as a Federal Civil Servant for the Department of Defense Region East (DDRE), culminating his civilian career as the installation Recreation Officer.

Tom was born in Sunbury, PA, the son of the late Thomas E. and Nettie (Buffington) Zerbe, Sr.  In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Charles and Brewster Zerbe and daughter, Diane (Reed) Jensen.  

He was a graduate of Shikellamy High School and Williamsport Area Community College.  He was a member of Lewisberry United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 201, Sunbury, the Zerbe Hunt Club, Potter County, PA and the Riverview Golf Club, New Cumberland.  He coached baseball and basketball with the Red Land Little League, served as a basketball and wrestling referee, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and golf.  But more than anything, Tom’s life revolved around his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 56 years, Margaret M. “Peg” (Jones) Zerbe; children, Donna L. Reed of Geneva, Switzerland, Thomas E. Zerbe, III and wife Susan of Mechanicsburg, PA and COL (Retired) Denise A. Enders and husband Alan of Etters, PA; six granddaughters, Nicole, April, Holly, Katie, Courtney and Sarah; ten great-grandchildren; and three nieces and a nephew.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.  A visitation with family and friends will be held from 5 – 7 pm Monday evening in Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are respectfully requested to PA Wounded Warriors, Inc., https://www.pawoundedwarriors.org/ 1013 Mumma Road, Suite 203, Wormleysburg, PA 17043 or Lewisberry United Methodist Church, https://lewisberryumc.susumc.org/ 309 Market Street, Lewisberry, PA 17339

To send messages of condolence to the family or for driving directions, please visit www.Parthemore.com