Gene C. Zeller Jr., 79, of Lebanon, PA, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Hershey Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Lynette E. (Mack) Zeller.
Born in Reading, PA, on Dec. 13, 1946, Gene was a son of the late Gene and Vera (Wenrich) Zeller. Gene achieved many accomplishments during his life. He spent two and a half years in the Army reserves during the Vietnam era. He spent 20 years as a steelworker and, during that time, also served as union treasurer and secretary for many years. He then spent 15 years as a car salesman, during which he started pursuing a college degree in counseling and theology. After retiring from sales, he went on to serve many years as the chaplain for Wernersville Correctional Center. His last full-time job was with Revelations of Freedom as a counselor and advisor for men seeking addiction recovery. During that time, he earned three degrees, the last being his Doctorate in Theology. At the time of his death, he was serving as a pastor for Hope Fellowship Church.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid NY Yankees fan.
Gene is survived by his children, Melissa, wife of Ralph Peer, Stacy, wife of Scott Lorah, and Michael, husband of Carol (Newhouse); brother, John, husband of Katie; sisters-in-law, Pam and Patty; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 2 p.m., at St. Thomas Church, 536 N. Main St., Bernville, PA 19506. Light refreshments and visitation with family will be held immediately following in the social hall.
Thompson Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com.
