Rhodaberger

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

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

Bear 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 Catholic Church in Herman.

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

He was a lifelong member, past president and held several offices at the Herman Volunteer Fire Department. He also was a member of the Fire Police Corps and a member of the Pennsylvania Fire Wardens Association.

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

Surviving are his wife, Adrith Smith Rhodaberger, whom he married Jan. 30, 1951; 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; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ian S. and Theresa Smith of Butler. Numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews also survive him.

<B>RHODABERGER </B> At his request, there will be no visitation for Gerald J. "Bear" Rhodaberger, who died Monday, April 6, 2009. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass at 11 a.m. April 18 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Herman. The Rev. Gary Staken, OFM Cap. will officiate.Cremation services and arrangement details are in the care of the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, Butler.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.