Betty Mae (Keil) Gehrig

Betty Mae (Keil) Gehrig, 95, of Danville, widow of George F. Gehrig, passed peacefully from this earth on Saturday morning, October 29, 2022, at her home.

Betty was filled with love; love for the Lord, her family, her friends, and all animals who were lucky enough to reside at the Gehrig home. She was born in Jersey Shore, PA on May 9, 1927, to John and Ruth (Daubert) Keil, raised by her grandparents, Rev. Raymond Daubert and Sue Daubert and Aunt Ethel (“Eckie”) Daubert. Her deep faith was rooted in her upbringing by her grandfather, a Methodist minister, who later would be assigned to Danville.

Betty moved to Danville as a 6th grader and began the love story that would shape her life. She moved across the street from a handsome 7th grader named George Gehrig (born exactly one year earlier than her, to the day) and was smitten with him from the first day she laid eyes on him. She looked on as he played baseball, rode his bike, and leapt the backyard fence in one swift motion. George didn’t stand a chance. Betty made it her mission to be his girl. And his girl she finally became 5 years later. “Betsy”, as George affectionately called her, became his wife in 1949 and they were married for 69 years when he passed away in 2018. Their love for each other deepened each year. They were united in their devotion to God, service to the community, and commitment to family. They enjoyed a lifetime of family vacations in Ocean City, New Jersey, sitting on their special bench near the Music Pier, eating Mack & Manco Pizza, and enjoying time with multiple generations of Gehrigs. They were lifelong members of Trinity Lutheran Church where both taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.

Together they raised two daughters, Georgia Jones and Linda Tessarvich (Wayne), along with playing a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren:  Joshua Jones (Melanie), Zachary Jones (Jennifer), Sara Tessarvich, Leah Tessarvich, Anna Tessarvich, and great-grandchildren Carlie Jones and Zoe Jones. Betty was sister-in-law to Fay Gehrig Clark and Earl Gehrig (Anna Jean); cousin to Bill Daubert (Melissa), and Ed Daubert; and aunt to Ann Clark Bishop (Ralph), Joan Clark Jones (Richard), Frank Gehrig (Glenda), Barbara Gehrig Garrison, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.  

Betty lovingly tended to her beloved pets Sandy, Kelly, and many others. She faithfully fed the backyard birds, squirrels, and as legend would have it, she even fed the hungry ants a time or two.

Betty graduated from Danville High School in 1945 and the Geisinger School of Nursing in 1948. She was employed as a Registered Nurse at Geisinger for many years. After her retirement, she continued at Geisinger as a volunteer.

Four years after George’s passing, the pair is reunited. Their love is infinite, surpassing the bounds of the earthly world, and extending into the afterlife. They are an inspiration to their family, teaching lessons about how to love and be loved.

A viewing will be held at the Roat-Kriner funeral Home, 1133 Bloom Rd., Danville, on Thursday evening, November 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church, corner of Church and Market Streets, Danville, with visitation at 1:00 pm. A private burial will be held in Odd Fellows Cemetery. 

 Condolence messages and photographs may be posted at: www.krinerfuneralhomes.com