Erma L. (Larkin) Gerberich

Erma L. Gerberich, 97, of Bernville, PA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Reading Hospital.

Born on January 13, 1926, she was the first of four daughters born to the late Russel S. and Verna B. (Ritter) Larkin. Erma attended elementary school in the Muhlenberg school system and was a 1943 graduate of Muhlenberg High School. She married her husband, the late Alvin G. Gerberich, on November 28, 1946, and the couple was blessed with five sons.

Erma received her RN degree in 1946 from Reading Hospital School of Nursing and enjoyed a 40-year career as a Registered Nurse and Head Nurse at Reading Hospital until her retirement in 1988. Throughout her retirement years, she loved sewing, and her children and grandchildren enjoyed the many items she made for them for their birthdays and holidays. Quilting was another avid passion of hers, and one day while returning a quilt top to a friend in a quilting group at Berks Heim, she was invited to “just sit down and help us”.  Her willingness to do so led to 30 rewarding years of volunteer quilting on Wednesday mornings at the facility. She found great satisfaction knowing that the quilt tops created by her and other volunteers at Berks Heim would be raffled off to help the residents there.   Erma was also a member of the Schuylkill County Quilters Guild, and she proudly represented the group by demonstrating the art of quilting at the Kutztown Folk Festival. In addition, Erma was always very engaged and interested in conversations with her family regarding their ancestry and was a dedicated Philadelphia Eagles and Villanova Wildcats fan. Her family will also fondly remember her delicious homegrown asparagus, rhubarb pies, and the refreshing meadow tea that she would prepare for them in the summer.

Erma will be sadly missed by her sons, John G. Gerberich (Lynn), Dr. Francis G. Gerberich (Diane), William G. Gerberich (Debra), Robert G. Gerberich (Corinne), and Scott G. Gerberich (Marlene). Also surviving are her youngest sister Evelyn R. Martin, 10 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Erma was predeceased by her husband on February 29, 1968, her two sisters, Grace Greth and Ruth Haupt, and her grandson, David G. Gerberich.

A Memorial service will be held later at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Erma’s name may be made to Berks Heim or a charity of your choice.