John E. Gingrich, Sr.

It is with great sadness that we, his loving family, must mark the passing into heaven of JOHN E. GINGRICH, SR. of Lebanon, PA. On Friday, April 18, 2025 at 12:14pm, John passed at the Wellspan/Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon of a severe respiratory virus. John was one of three sons of the late Mary Seibert (Koons) from Avon, Lebanon. John was proceeded in death by brothers Robert and Charles Gingrich and stepsister Mary Jane Seibert, John is survived by stepsister Sharon Seibert. On September 28, 1959, at 17 years of age, John entered into service with the United States Marine Corp. John said that he credited The Marine Corps for changing his values, and saving his life at such a young age. He would end his time of service Sept. 27, 1965 as Corporal, Cpl (E-4), and several meritorious medals. But, the Marine Corps would always be his lifelong commitment. In 1959, John met Beverly A. Nace, daughter of the late John Henry Nace and Vera Emma Nace (Fields) of West Lebanon, PA, and the two would go on to be married on April 10, 1962. Beverly was the love of his life and would be married to her for 63 years before this death. John is survived by his wife and love, Beverly. John and Beverly’s large family would include four children and spouses, John Jr (Marj), David (Dana), Kim, and Richard (Tammy); grandchildren and spouses Eryn (Joe), Raychel (Dylan), Alysha, Kaleah, Nikki (John), Deryk (Brittany), and Taylor; and great-grandchildren Brody, Colby, Presley, Weston, Revie, Johnnie, and Adelyn. Sadly, John was preceded in death by Brody, and survived by all. In 1980, John would again enter service with the United States Air Force Reserve, 201st Red Horse Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, as a heavy equipment operator and trainer in rapid deployment, self-supporting construction team; tasked with airfield runway construction and maintenance foremost. John would retire as Master Sergeant from Red Horse in 2002, only due to age restrictions of 60 years old. John Sr. would realize one of his greatest lifetime achievements in 1982 when he accepted the position in the US Marine Corp League, Lebanon County Detachment #525, as the Chairman of the Lebanon County TOYS FOR TOTS program. John would work tirelessly to insure the national motto that “Every child deserves a little Christmas” went fulfilled to the best they could. John worked with his “secretary and assistant” Beverly, many League, family, friends, schools, churches and businesses to be successful. TFT helped thousands of local children have a Christmas, and helped the parents by easing a burden they struggled with. John would never retire from Toys for Tots and his statement to a doctor during his illness, “I have to hurry up and get better because I’ve got things to do for TFT before November”, showed the importance that his life’s hardships steeled his resolve to never see a child suffer ‘through no fault of their own.” John Sr. was an active member of the US Marine Corps League, Lebanon County Detachment #525, and an active member of Lebanon Veteran’s Advisory Council, a city organization. He had strong beliefs in Faith, Family, Friends, Country and Service. Funeral arrangements and Memorial services will be performed by Christman’s Funeral Home, Inc., 226 Cumberland St., Lebanon, PA 17042, (717) 272-7431. There will be a private funeral service at FITG National Cemetery, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 1000-1030 hrs., followed by Visitation at Christman’s at 1200-1400 hrs, and a Memorial Service at 1400 hrs. PLEASE NOTE, John Sr. would want all his family and friends to be comfortable and casual in this time of grief, so the family is asking that dress code is the exactly the same! The family is also asking that NO flowers be delivered to Christman’s, if you wish to pay respect, John Sr. would only ask for donations to MCL, Lebanon Detachment, Toys for Tots Campaign. www.christmansfuneralhome.com