It is with great sadness that his loving family must mark the passing into heaven of John E. Gingrich Sr., of Lebanon, PA. On Friday, April 18, 2025, at 12:14 p.m., 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 preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Charles Gingrich; and stepsister, Mary Jane Seibert. John is survived by his stepsister, Sharon Seibert.
On Sept. 28, 1959, at 17 years of age, John entered into service with the United States Marine Corps. 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 on Sept. 27, 1965, as Corporal, Cpl (E-4), with 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 they would be married for 63 years before his death.
John is survived by his wife and love, Beverly. John and Beverly’s large family would include their 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 the rest.
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 the 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 U.S. Marine Corps League, Lebanon County Detachment #525, as the Chairman of the Lebanon County Toys for Tots program. John would work tirelessly to ensure the national motto that “Every child deserves a little Christmas” was 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. Toys for Tots 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 Toys for Tots before November,” showed 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 U.S. Marine Corps League, Lebanon County Detachment #525, and an active member of Lebanon Veterans’ 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, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 10-10:30 a.m., followed by a visitation at Christman’s from 12-2 p.m., and a memorial service at 2 p.m.
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 the dress code be 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.
