Luther Gerald "Jerry" Troutman, 87, passed away Thursday at Ephrata Manor, Ephrata, where he had been a resident.

Born at the Pottsville Hospital, July 3, 1931, he was a son of the late Luther S. and Catherine T. Gaffney Troutman.

He was the husband of Ruth N. Gilham Troutman. Jerry and Ruth met for the first time in the fourth grade at East Ward School, Schuylkill Haven.

Jerry grew up in Schuylkill Haven, graduating with the Class of 1949.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and retired as a senior master sergeant in 1971. During his enlistment in the Air Force, Ruth and Jerry lived in Texas, Ohio, England, France, Germany, New Hampshire and Maryland.

From 1971 to 1995, Mainville, Pa., was home and Jerry was employed at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, as central service supervisor and as a pharmaceutical buyer. Upon final retirement, Jerry and Ruth resided at their farm in Bloomsburg, later Hershey, and finally, the couple moved to Ephrata Manor, Ephrata.

Jerry was a keen fan of high school sports, following his alma mater, Schuylkill Haven High School. He was interested in antique automobiles, gardening, photography, and cooking and baking.

While living in England, he followed Formula I racing and British football, soccer.

In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by a sister, Joan C. Sherman, Orwigsburg, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., 25 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven. A viewing will be held at 1 p.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow the service at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. At Jerry's request, please do not send flowers. If desired, memorials may be sent to Bergstrasse Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 Hahnstown Road, Ephrata, PA 17522, or Ephrata Manor Benevolent Fund, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, PA 17522. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Ephrata Manor at a later date. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements. To extend online condolences, visit www.gsesfuneralhomes.com.