Earl William Gessner

Earl William Gessner, 70, of Lewisburg, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg

He was born July 1, 1947 in Lewisburg, a son of the late Clarence William and Alice Margaret (Berge) Gessner. On July 13, 1985, he married the former Daisy Fine, who survives. Together they celebrated 32 years of marriage.

Earl was a 1965 graduate of Lewisburg High School.

He was employed by the former Eastern Enterprises, now New Enterprise for 30 plus years as a heavy equipment operator.

Earl attended Delaware Run Wesleyan Church, Watsontown.

He was an avid hunter. Earl loved butchering, cutting down firewood and making fires in his wood burner. He enjoyed hauling the Amish and Mennonites.

Most importantly, Earl loved spending time with his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are three sons and daughters-in-law, Scott W. and Brenda Gessner, of Mifflinburg, David A. and Tabitha Gessner and Brian E. and Heather Gessner, all of Lewisburg; one daughter, Monica A. Brubaker-Gessner, of Lewisburg; three adopted children, Jeremiah Swope, Zayne Hicks and Jesse Davis, all of Lewisburg; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Albert R. Gessner and Dale E. and Joyce Gessner, all of Lewisburg; two sisters, Mildred Sherwood, of New Berlin and Mary Joyce Day, of Lewisburg; eight grandchildren, Dakota W. Gessner and his wife, Nichole, Brandy, Garrett A., Taylor M., Tanner C. and Colby N. Gessner, Gavin William Brubaker and Owen Swope; four great-grandchildren, Hunter Stahl, Collin, Camryn and Colton Roman. Over the years, Earl fostered many children and was like a father and grandfather to them all.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Sherman Gessner, father-in-law, Norman Fine and four brothers-in-law, Alvin Sherwood, Harold Day and John A. and Mike Fine.

Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg and again from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Delaware Run Wesleyan Church, 5570 Musser Lane, Watsontown, where a funeral service will be held at 11, with the church pastor, the Rev. Michael Reece, officiating.

Burial will follow in Mazeppa Union Cemetery.