Benjamin Vernon Gainer

Benjamin V. Gainer

Benjamin V. Gainer, 84, of Mount Joy passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at Hospice of Lancaster County, surrounded by his family. His late wife, Erma Sigman Gainer, died on November 2, 1988. They were married for 44 years. Born in Mt. Nebo, he was the son of the late William V. and Alice Herr Gainer.

Ben was a 1942 graduate of the former Manor High School where he was a star athlete excelling in baseball and basketball. He retired from the Lancaster Div. of PPL Corp. as a line crew leader in 1983 after 41 years of employment.

A decorated veteran of World War II, Ben served from 1943 to 1945 under General Patton in the US Army's 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, and a Silver Star for his service. After the war, he was active with The Royal Order of the Purple Heart of Millersville, and the Battle of the Bulge Organization, and shared his experiences of the war in speaking engagements throughout his life.

An active member of his community, Ben was the lead visionary for lighting the athletic fields at the Donegal High School, and the Mount Joy tennis courts. He also assisted the Mount Joy Athletic Assn. with the lighting of Kunkle Field in Mount Joy. Ben was founder of the Donegal High School Boys Basketball Booster Club, and an early supporter of the Donegal Braves organization. He was a member of the Donegal American Legion, Post #809 Maytown and the Mount Joy VFW, Post #5752. A member of the Maytown Church of God, Ben and his late wife volunteered on many missionary trips to Haiti and New Mexico, where he would lend his talents to build schools and churches. He also was a past president and active member of PPL Retirees Club.

An avid NASCAR fan, Ben admired the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and was a Boston Red Sox fan, following the late Ted Williams. Known for his contagious smile, he was an advocate of many clubs and organizations by lending his time to help promote them.

Ben will be deeply missed by his children, Larry K. (Jackie Shuman) Gainer, William J. (Andrea Landis) Gainer, Brenda K. (Charles) Glessner, and Kim D. (Ted) Morelock, all of Mount Joy, and Linda A. Young of Elizabethtown, 16 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, D. Lester Gainer.

A Funeral Service honoring Ben's life will be held from the Mount Joy Church of God, 30 East Main, Mount Joy on Saturday, October 20, 2007, at 11 AM with Pastor Walter B. Zimmerman officiating. Interment to follow in Rawlinsville Metho-dist Cemetery. Friends may call at the Sheetz Funeral Home, Inc., 16 East Main Street, Mount Joy, on Friday evening from 5 to 8 PM and again on Saturday morning at the church from 10 to 11 AM. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster Co, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or to the Maytown American Legion, Post #809, 14 North King Street, Maytown, PA 17550. Sheetz Funeral Home, Inc., Mount Joy.

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