Rhodaberger

Gerald J. "Bear" Rhodaberger, 81, of Herman died unexpectedly Monday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born Feb. 19, 1928, in Butler, he was the son of the late Lester and Mary Strailey Rhodaberger.

He was retired from the Armco Steel Corp., where he had worked in the melt shop, retiring in 1987 after 38 years.

He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman.

Jerry was a former Boy Scout Troop leader; had been a past president of the Young Democrats; was a former justice of the peace in Summit Township; and had been a Summit Township supervisor.

A lifelong member of the Herman Volunteer Fire Department, he was a member and former officer of the fire police corps, and was a member of the Pennsylvania Fire Wardens Association.

He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and he was a life member of the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club and the National Rifle Association.

He is survived by his wife, Adrith Smith Rhodaberger, who he married Jan. 30, 1951. He also is survived by a son, Gerald A. Rhodaberger of Herman; two brothers, James (Annette) Rhodaberger and John Rhodaberger, both of Cabot; a sister, Mary Ellen Yenick, and her husband Robert of Cabot; a brother and sister-in-law, Ian S. and Theresa Smith of Butler; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

<B>RHODABERGER</B> At the request of Gerald J. "Bear" Rhodaberger, who died Monday, April 6, 2009, there will no be visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass at 11 a.m. April 18 at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Herman. The Rev. Gary Staken, OFM Cap. will officiate.Cremation services and arrangements are by <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, Butler.