Eric Howard Gernerd

Eric Howard Gernerd, 67 , of Oley, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Penn State Health Milton Hershey Medical Center. 

He was the loving husband of Margaret (Hunt), whom he married on September 12th of 1998. 

Born October 25, 1957, he was the son of the late Alan Gernerd and Wanda (Gresh). 

Eric was a 1975 graduate of Oley Valley High School and later went on to obtain his bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Kutztown University. After graduating college he went on to work for channel 6 news as a cameraman for 13 years while he was working on building his own dream home in the heart of the Oley Valley. He then found a calling to social services which led him to work for Concern Counseling and Service Access & Management for over 20 years. 

Music was a strong driving force in Eric’s life. Eric was inspired by the sky, the mountains, and the ocean. He would write, produce, and sing all of his own music and many of them would be with his wife, Margaret a.k.a Maggie. As a self trained musician,  Eric always had his guitar in his hand thinking of new ways to share his musical talents and already produced six CDs locally. His children and family would be the only thing that came before his music. He was a man that was always there any time his family was in need. 

Eric is survived by two children, Ethan Gernerd, significant other of Sarah Heckman of Oley, PA, and Graham Gernerd of Oley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are three siblings: Deborah Buckfelder, wife of William of Palmyra, PA; Kurt Gernerd, husband of Pamela of Virginia; and Alisa Brumbach, wife of Mark, of Oley, PA. 

A service will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Oley. There will also be a celebration of life at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to advance pediatric cancer research in honor of Owen Bonner. Donations may be made online at 

http://give2.chop.edu or mailed to CHOP Foundation, P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352 a 501(c)(3) company, with “In memory of Owen Bonner” in the memo line.

For online condolences, please visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

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