Paul L. Jesberger, 88, of 1451 Bucktail Road, St. Marys, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at his residence, after a brief illness.
He was born February 20, 1929, in St. Marys, son of the late Fred and Clara Wehler Jesberger. He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1947, and served as Vice President of his class. In 1947, he enlisted in the Regular Army. Following training at Fort Knox, he was assigned to the 8th Army, 5th Medical Supply Company in Yokohamo, Japan. He earned the rank of Sergeant First Class and served in the Korean War. Paul was a retired employee of Keystone Powdered Metal Company.
On June 11, 1951, in the St. Mary’s Church, Paul married Grace M. Hasselman, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Mary L. Foster and her husband Michael of Fairfax, VA; two sons, John P. Jesberger and his wife Lori of DuBois and Thomas J. Jesberger and his wife Pam of St. Marys; four grandchildren, Michelle Hawk, Janel Jesberger, David Jesberger, and Adam Jesberger; one great granddaughter, Olivia Grace Hawk; and by a brother, Fred Jesberger of Spokane, WA.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by five sisters, Anna Marie Whiteman, Clare Hasselman, Peggy Storer, Doris Pichler, and a sister in infancy; and by two brothers, Henry Jesberger and a brother in infancy.
Paul was a charter member of the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail, which was founded in 1953. His two favorite projects that he initiated were the crosses displayed next to the St. Mary’s Church every Memorial Day and a mapping of all of the veterans in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Paul was active in many community affairs. He served as past commander, past president, and past chief steward of the St. Marys American Legion, Post 103. He was a volunteer at the St. Marys Food Bank and was a chaperone at the St. Marys Youth Center for over 20 years. Paul was a member of the Elk County Republican Party Committee, the Elk County Republican Executive Committee, and was very active in many Republican campaigns. He received the 50 year voting award from Elk County.
Paul was a member of the St. Mary’s Church and volunteered in the St. Marys Parochial School cafeteria. He was very proud of all of his grandchildren and all of their accomplishments.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Church on Monday, June 26, 2017, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, June 25, 2017, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail, 168 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.