Posted by: thepinetree on 11/23/2019 08:30 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 11/23/2019 08:30 AM
Expires: 01/01/2024 12:00 AM
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George William Gemberling 1931 - 2019. Services November 23rd
Copperopolis, CA...George William Gemberling, son of Irvin & Ethel Gemberling, was born July 2, 1931 and was welcomed into eternal rest by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 10, 2019. He was born in Shamokin Dam, PA and graduated from Selinsgrove High School in June 1949. In July 1949 George joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany. For the next 2-1/3 years he remained with the US Army until his Honorable Discharge in Nov 1952.
While in Germany, George wrote several letters to Gloria Kauffman, a Rebuck, PA resident who was studying nursing at Selinsgrove State Hospital in Selinsgrove, PA. When George returned from Germany, he and Gloria courted for a little over a year before marrying on March 26, 1954. For the next 60 years they were inseparable. Within a span of ten years George & Gloria had four children - Steven George, Kevin Gene, Lori Elaine, and Matthew Paul.
In April 1957 George started working for Capital Airlines, the precursor to United Airlines, in the Washington DC area. In early 1962 George was presented with an opportunity to transfer his United Airlines employment to San Francisco International Airport. Without giving it a second thought, George and Gloria packed their belongings and moved their family to California in June 1962. Once there, they purchased a new home in Fremont, CA and proceeded to raise their family. For the next 30 years George commuted to SFO until his retirement in June 1992 after serving 35 years with United Airlines.
Around 1990 George and Gloria bought a "weekend getaway" house in Copperopolis, CA. For the next 7 years, they regularly spend weekends in Copperopolis enjoying the beauty and quite of the area. Once Gloria retired from nursing in 1994, they made plans for a permanent move to Copperopolis. In July 1997 George and Gloria sold their home in Fremont and officially moved into their Copperopolis residence. There they spent the next 17 years enjoying family and neighbors, attending church, and playing bingo. On March 26, 2014 George and Gloria celebrated their 60th anniversary with a surprise party at Saddle Creek Resort. Unfortunately, just weeks later Gloria Gemberling succumbed to health problems and passed away on April 14, 2014.
Soon afterwards, George began to display signs of dementia. As the disease slowly progressed, George was cared for by his four children - Lori, Steven, Kevin, and Matthew. George's children were able to maintain his personal care for several years until the demands became too great and Steven placed George into a senior living facility in Sonora, CA. It was there, on November 10, 2019, that George William Gemberling went to sleep and peacefully breathed his last breath.
George remained a widower after his wife's death in 2014. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Steven (Victoria), Kevin (Lisa), Lori, and Matthew (Claudia). George is also survived by five grandchildren, Amanda, Anthony, Michael, Samantha, Shane, and three great-grandchildren, Payton, Bentley, and Harley.
George Gemberling was a man who cared deeply about his family. He set the example for honesty and hard work. He taught his children integrity and respect. His legacy will live on in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Skyline Place Senior Living and Adventist Health Sonora Hospice for taking good care of Dad during his final months. In addition, the family would like to thank Angels Memorial Chapel mortuary for their help during this difficult time.
In honor of George's life, a celebration in his memory will be held at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11:00 AM.
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
13880 Joshua Way
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-4639
If you wish to make a donation in honor of George, please consider contributing to your local hospice. Thank you!
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