Melvin Rosenberry

Melvin S. “Gene” Rosenberry, 78, of Shippensburg, departed this life on the morning of Friday, October 15, 2021, at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital.

He was born on September 9, 1943, in Chambersburg, a son of the late Melvin S. Rosenberry, Jr. and Herman and Julia M. (Van Scyoc) Busey, who raised him. Gene was a 1961 graduate of Big Spring High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, enlisting on June 12, 1967, and honorably discharged on June 5, 1971. Gene married Bette L. Glessner on March 23, 1973, in Hagerstown, MD.

Earlier in life Gene worked at the former SKF Industries, Shippensburg. He then went on to work in the supply department at the Letterkenny Army Depot, retiring in 1997.

Gene was a life member of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company No. 2, Shippensburg. After retiring, he became more involved with the ambulance, becoming a EMT, and then an paramedic. Gene and Bette also spent countless hours volunteering at the fire company food stand at the Shippensburg Community Fair.

He was a member of the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion, Post #223 and the Durff-Kuhn V.F.W. Post #6168, both of Shippensburg, and B.P.O.E. (Elks Club) #600, Chambersburg. In his free time, Gene enjoyed watching baseball and football on television. He also loved to cook and would quite frequently help Bette with her cake making business.

In addition to his wife of forty-eight years, Bette; two children, Kathy Nezat and husband Gregory of Shippensburg and Don Wyrick and wife Janet of Dillsburg; three step-children, Kitty Liddle of Shippensburg, Daryl D’Ambrosio of Shippensburg; and Gregory D’Ambrosio and wife Darlene of Chambersburg; five grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; several great grandchildren; numerous step-great grandchildren; his step-mother, Virginia G. Starliper; eight siblings, Cheryl North, Christina Smiley and husband Ed, Joan Martin and husband Ed, Donna Maxwell, Mary Ann Rosenberry, V. Kyline Keefer and husband Jeff, Anna Trace and husband John, and Ginger Poffenberger & husband Wayne; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by five siblings, Larry Rosenberry, Melvin Daniel Rosenberry, John Rosenberry, Brenda Shearer, and Dorothy Rosenberry.

A funeral service for his family and close friends will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. Interment with military honors will follow in the Parklawns Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cumberland Valley Hose Company No. 2 or the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.