Henry L. Gerstenberger, 89, Avid Golfer

Born November 10, 1911 in Cleveland, OH. He was raised in Cleveland until he age of 16 when he moved to Amherst where he graduated from Amherst High School with the class of 1931. Moving to Cleveland in 1938 and living in the Cleveland area until 1994 when he moved back to Amherst.

Henry and his father owned Gerstenberger & Son Hardware Store in downtown Amherst from 1929 to 1938 located originally on Park Ave., where Dr. Stan Lutz Optometry office is now. He was employed by Howe Mfg. and George D. Miller Mfg. before opening his own machine tool and die company in Cleveland, which made parts for fighter planes during World War II. It operated 1942 until its sale to Gray Industries in 1973. He went on to work for Gray Industries from 1973 until his retirement in 1997. He coached Little League Baseball. He was an avid golfer and a 56 year member of the John Barkley Masonic Lodge #621 of Cleveland, OH.

Survivors include his wife Valerie (Jenkins) Gerstenberger; son: Henry L. Gerstenberger Jr., daughter: Anita Neuhauser of Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandsons, and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Geraldine (nee Deuker) in 1992; his parents: Henry L. and Sadie (nee Scherrer) Gerstenberger; and his sister Clara Rose Gerstenberger.

Friends may call Friday, August 17, 2001 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Masonic services will be held Friday evening at 8 p.m. by the John Barkley Masonic Lodge #621 of Cleveland, Ohio. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 18, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. Bill Seith will officiate. Burial will be in Lutheran Memorial Park, Hinckley, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lorain County Animal Protective League, 8308 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035 or John W. Barkley Masonic Lodge, c/o Robert Hubert, 2176 McKinley Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107-5452.