Gary C. Shrawder

SERVICE UPDATE

Gary C. Shrawder, 81, of West Cornwall Township, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

The following is written by Gary’s daughter:

My father was born March 29, 1943, in Reading, PA. He is the son of the late Norman W. Shrawder and Arline (Deppen) Akens. He was an only child, so when he met my mother who was the oldest of 6, he was happy to gain a big family when they married 60 years ago.

For many years as a young adult, my dad was a drummer in high school, the Wyomissing Marching Band, and several dance bands, all of which inspired his love of jazz and big band music.

He had a few jobs in his lifetime, but by far the one he loved the most was being a cameraman and director at WITF Public Television when it was in Hershey. Later in his retirement, he volunteered for many years as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Mt. Gretna Playhouse, where he met many of his current friends. From those relationships came “Tuesdays with Tom” and Friday breakfasts with “The Gang.”

He designed their home in “the suburbs of Mt. Gretna” where he and my mother have lived for the last 46 years. They loved to watch deer, hummingbirds, birds, and the occasional wild turkey out their windows. My parents were not big travelers, but they took many wonderful trips to St, Michael’s, MD, and Rehoboth Beach, DE.

My dad had multiple sclerosis for most of his adult life, but he never let it define who he was. Even though he had every right to, he never complained about his condition. His attitude toward life was always positive, and I know he was an inspiration to many people. He has left behind so many friends and extended family members who loved him dearly. There is no way to know just how many people he affected in his lifetime, and while we all interacted with the same wonderful human, we all have different stories to tell.

As a father, my dad never expected my brother or myself to be anything other than what we wanted to be. He was always proud of what we did, who we became, and the families we raised. He loved being a grandfather, and the four he was blessed with will miss him greatly.

He had a great sense of humor, got a kick out of playing the kazoo, and enjoyed singing Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville with his buddy Chuck. He loved chocolate, pretzels, the Phillies, talking sports with his granddaughter, watching House Hunters with my mom, and life in general. And boy he could whistle!

The last couple of years he had a few very special angels here on earth – my mother, their dear friend Richard, caregiver Cindy, and son-in-law Geno. Our family would like to thank the staff at the Lebanon VA for years of wonderful care, as well as the staff in the ICU of Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, where he passed away.

There is no doubt that my father is with God now, who greeted him with open arms saying, “Well done my faithful servant.”

There will be a visitation 1:00 – 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 17, 2024 followed by a 2:00 PM Memorial Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 125 Spruce Street, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mount Gretna Fire Company, PO Box 177, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064 or the Mount Gretna Playhouse, PO Box 578, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064.

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