Fern A. (Irvin) Gaintner, 93

April 03, 2019

Fern A. (Irvin) Gaintner, 93, formerly of Columbia, passed away at Oak Leaf Manor North, Landisville, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. She was born in Rapho Township, to the late Leon H. and Leah (Kline) Irvin. Fern’s husband of 35 years, Harvey C. Gaintner, Jr., died in 1999.

She previously worked at Schick and Bulova in Lancaster. Fern had attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Harvey. Fern vacationed in Rehoboth Beach, where she enjoyed crabbing and clamming. She also enjoyed traveling to Germany, Austria and Italy.

Although a petite lady, Fern was brave beyond her stature, and her small Nash Metropolitan car fit her to a T. She drove Corvairs after the Nash. After her father died, Fern helped to raise her sisters while their mother worked.

Fern is survived by her sisters, Doris Keller of Oxford, Phyllis, wife of Charles Bowman, of Lancaster, Sharon Irvin of Florida and Avis, wife of John Deckman, Jr. of Strasburg; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Fern was preceded in death by her brothers L. Ellsworth, M. Lamar and Dallas K. Irvin.

Private interment will take place in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, 26 Millersville Rd., Lancaster, PA 17603.