Geraldine “Jerrie” Frances Harrower Stockburger, age 92, of Butler, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 30 in Butler Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.
Born September 11, 1926 in Braddock, PA, she was a daughter of the late John Harrower and Anna Chelkis Berkowitz.
Jerrie previously lived in New Jersey, where she and her late husband, Charles J. Stockburger, in the 1950’s were very active in the startup of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Somerville. The family later moved to Pickens, South Carolina, where she was active at University Lutheran Church in Clemson in the 1960’s.
Widowed at the age of 40, Jerrie went on to own and operate two successful businesses: the Hallmark House of Cards in Braddock, PA, and, in 1982, Jerrie, with her daughter, Karen, opened Mister Donut (now Donut Connection), on Center Avenue in Butler.
She was dearly loved by all – family, friends, and her customers.
Jerrie is survived by her daughter, Karen Stockburger, of Butler; her son, Charlie Stockburger and his wife, Jean, of Butler; her grandchildren, Jake Stockburger and Amanda Stockburger; and her brother, David Berkowitz and his wife Mary Ellen, of Wake Forest, NC, and their children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. Stockburger, who passed away June 25, 1967; her father, John Harrower; her mother, Anna Chelkis Berkowitz; her stepfather, Adolph “Red” Berkowitz; her beloved grandson, Nicholas Stockburger; and her aunt, Hazel Harrower.
Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 429 Center Avenue, Butler, on Monday from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A Blessing Service will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Jerrie’s friend, Fr. Douglas Lorence, officiating.
Burial will take place in Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh.