3/2/2016
J. Earl “Jerry" Shearer, 85, Stevens, PA, formerly of Monterey/Leola, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 2nd 2016. Jerry was born in Rapho Township to Samuel and Miriam (Fahnestock) Shearer. Jerry is survived by three siblings, his sister Myrtle (late Richard) Harry of Leola, and two brothers , Paul (Zodee) Shearer of Mt. Joy and Kenneth (late Judy) Shearer of Lititz. On February 12th 1955, Jerry married Mary E. Shearer with whom he loved to travel the United States and abroad. Jerry and Mary had two sons, Steven E. (Marise) Shearer of Friendsville, PA and Randall E. (Sharon) Shearer of Stevens, PA. Their four grandchildren are Kyle Shearer (fiancé Laura Genutis), Amberle Hughes (married to Kevin Hughes), Nathan Shearer (married to Janelle Shearer), and Khayla Saville (married to Michael Saville). They also have four great grandchildren: Parker, Connor, Kalli, and Emily.
Jerry graduated from Manheim Central High school in 1948, where he participated on the wrestling team. For eleven of his early working years he worked for Miller Bros./Servomation. Beginning in August of 1966, Jerry worked as a salesman for Jewel-T within the Lancaster, Ephrata, New Holland, and Lititz areas. He ranked as one of the top ten salesmen in the country 16 out of 22 years and retired in December of 1988. He also had his own Knapp Shoes franchise. Along with his wife Mary, Jerry served as a deacon for the Ephrata Church of the Brethren in Ephrata, PA. Throughout his life, Jerry sang in church choirs and quartets, and as a sixty year member of the Lancaster Red Rose Barbershop Chorus. Jerry loved pitching horseshoes with friends and family, hunting with his family, and following Penn State sports.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable gifts be sent either to Ephrata Church of the Brethren's Deacon fund or to COBYS Family Services, 1417 Oregon Rd, Leola, PA. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Monday, March 21stat Ephrata Church of the Brethren, 201 Crescent Avenue, Ephrata, PA at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon. A private burial will be held prior to the memorial service.