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Philip E. Gingerich Jr., 63, of Reedsville, passed away at home on Friday, April 1, 2022.
He was born in Lewistown on June 16, 1958. He was the son of the late Philip E. Gingerich Sr., who preceded him in death on April 27, 2015, and is survived by his mother, Dolores A. Gingerich, of Belleville.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife, Shannon (Alkire) Gingerich. They were married on October 2, 1982, and would be celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.
Phil is survived by four children whom he dearly loved and was very proud of: Heidi (Keith) Altiery, of Reedsville, Kelli (Jason White) Gingerich, of Pittsburgh, Sean (Ashley Shawver) Gingerich, of Jersey Shore, and Steven (Allison) Gingerich, of Forney, Texas; nine wonderful grandchildren: Tanner Ferguson, Adriana, Julian, Siena, and Nico Altiery, of Reedsville, Shane, Katie, Ross, and Rowan Gingerich, of Texas.
Also surviving are his siblings: Michael (Diane) Gingerich, of State College, Toni (Tim) Himes, of Philadelphia, Mark (Kitty) Gingerich, of Timonium, Maryland, and his brother-in-law, Ronald (Beth) Alkire, of Rochester, New York. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Phil was a Sacred Heart School alumni and graduated from Kishacoquillas High School in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University in 1980.
Phil was the Owner/President of Central Insurers Group, Inc., starting in the business in 1982. He formed the corporation with William Jones in 1995. The corporation includes six offices in Central PA: HC Kerstetter Company in Lewistown, The Metz Agency in Belleville, Jack H. Port Agency in Mt. Union and Huntingdon, Central Insurers Group in State College, and The Charles A. Jones Agency in Philipsburg. He also owned East Side Storage in Lewistown.
Phil was currently serving as Vice Chairman of the board of directors for The Juniata Valley Financial Corp. and The Juniata Valley Bank. He had been a director of The Juniata Valley Bank since 1998. Phil previously served as Chairman of the boards of the Lewistown Trust Company and NuVisions Center. He was a member and past president of the Lewistown Kiwanis Club, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Nittany Lion Club. He was a long-time member and former board member of the Lewistown Country Club and member of the Crown Colony Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida. Phil was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church where he served as an usher.
Phil was an avid golfer and enjoyed golf and Penn State sporting events with friends and family. He also loved spending winters in Florida. His greatest joy in life was time spent with his wife, mother, children, grandchildren, and his dog, Sonny.
Phil’s contagious laugh and love of life will be sadly missed by all.
The family would like to thank Lauren Clark, Lindsey Heider, and UPMC Hospice for their wonderful care and support.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 106 N. Dorcas St., Lewistown, with Father William Weary officiating.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown.
Interment will take place at Church Hill Cemetery in Reedsville.
Memorials in Phil’s name may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 106 N. Dorcas St., Lewistown, PA 17044.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Philip E. Gingerich Jr., please visit our floral store.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Attn: Parish Office
9 N. Brown St., Lewistown PA 17044