Frederick Malone Zerby

Frederick Malone Zerby, of Centre Hall, passed away May 29, 2023, at the age of 86.  Born January 14, 1937, in Farmers Mills, Fred was a son of the late Robert Hosterman Zerby and Celia Mae (Malone) Zerby.  He was a 1954 graduate of the former Gregg Township Vocational High School.  He then attended Williamsport Technical Institute where he attained an associate degree as a machinist.  On August 7, 1960, he married Pauline Regie Thompson, who survives. 

Fred was employed at HRB Singer/Raytheon Technologies as a master machinist with 40 years of service.  He was a lifelong and faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Farmers Mills where he was very active in church activities.  He was also a past Master of Old Fort Lodge #537 of the Mason’s, with over 60 years of membership; and a member of the Valley of Williamsport Scottish Rite Consistory.  As an avid lover of Penn State wrestling, he was a member of the Penn State Wrestling Club and also enjoyed Lady Lion Basketball.  He enjoyed baseball and watched the Phillies every chance he had.  He was a bowler and belonged to the Belleheim Senior Bowling League where he was captain of his team.  Being a charter member of the McGuffy’s Raiders hunting camp; hunting, and especially archery hunting, was a passion Fred pursued for well over 60 years.  Most of all Fred enjoyed the time spent with his family.

In addition to Pauline, Fred is survived by two sons, Timothy Paul and his wife Patricia (Keeler) Zerby of Centre Hall, John Wesley and his wife Sandra (Frazier) Zerby of Spring Mills; one daughter, Beth Ann (Zerby) Houser of Bellefonte; one granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth (Zerby) Juliano of Salisbury, NC; and one grandson, Tibben John and his wife Katie (Deardorff) Zerby of Centre Hall.  Also surviving are two great grandchildren, Grace Marie Juliano and Nolan Robert Zerby and a special niece, Elizabeth “Betsy” Warner of Port Matilda and her sons, Jason and Jeremy Warner, who Fred thought of as a daughter and grandsons.  Fred was preceded in death by one brother, John Wesley Zerby and one sister, Doris (Zerby) Smith.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim.  There will be a Masonic service following the last visitation at 8:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Farmers Mills with Pastor Lauretta Dietrich officiating.  There will be a visitation one hour prior to the funeral service.  Contributions in memory of Fred may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, c/o Jean Vonada, 296 Ridge Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875.  

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