Gail Meridionale, 80, of Annville, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022, at home in the presence of her family. She was the wife of John Meridionale. They were married in May of 2019 and spent their time together in a caring, sharing, and loving relationship filled with faith, laughter, and memories. Gail and John enjoyed trips to The Reading Market, Lisa’s Café, Patches Creamery, and many other eateries too numerous to count.
Gail was born to John and Anna Gingrich on May 15, 1942, and spent most of her life living in Annville.
She graduated from Annville-Cleona High School as a member of the Class of 1960 and cherished lifelong friendships with many of her classmates. Gail was a faithful member of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Annville for the last 7 decades; she volunteered at the church bazaar in the 1970s and 80s and, more recently, was active in the Faith Sharing Group. In her retirement years, Gail enjoyed volunteering at the Annville Free Library. Gail worked full-time with D.J. Parr Heating & Oil Co., Farmers Trust Bank/Fulton Bank, and the Good Samaritan Hospital Billing Offices (Quentin Rd). The sacrifices Mom made to send her children to St. Mary’s School, Lebanon Catholic High School, and several colleges never went unnoticed nor unappreciated by her children. Mom provided an immeasurable number of rides to and from athletic practices and support at basketball games and swim meets. She was excited every year to fill out her brackets for the NCAA March Madness Tournament; some picks were even made before the games began! Gail’s proudest and most memorable moments were spent with her kids and her grandchildren. She cherished summers spent with friends at the Annville-Cleona Swimming Pool and family summer vacations to beaches stretching from Long Island, NY, to Hilton Head, SC.
In addition to her husband, Gail is survived by her four children: Melvin “Skip” Kapp, Alexandria, VA; Christopher T. Bentz, husband of CherylAnn, Manheim; David M. Bentz, husband of Megan Bergonzi, Lebanon; and Ann J. (Bentz) Keenan, wife of Kevin, Shorewood, WI; two grandchildren, William and Moira Keenan, and several nieces and nephews. Gail was predeceased by her beloved grandson Julian, with whom she spent many an afternoon during his middle and high school years.
Gail was the last of her immediate family as she was predeceased by siblings Ken, Al (Bob), Warren, and Beverly Shirk. She was also predeceased by former husbands William Bentz and Chester Day.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Church, Annville, on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 11 am. Interment will follow at the Covenant-Greenwood Cemetery. A Visitation will be held at Kreamer Funeral Home in Annville on Friday, September 2, 2022, from 6-745 pm, concluding with a Vigil Service to begin at that time. A second Visitation will be at St. Paul’s from 10 am-11 am prior to the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church OR The Annville Free Library, the Capital Campaign, both of Annville.
The family is deeply grateful for the care and compassion Masonic Village Hospice and Theresa Sorrentino provided to our mother.
