Shirley E. Lerch

John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”

Shirley E. Lerch, 88, formerly of Frackville, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

She was born Dec. 11, 1932, a daughter of the late Lester and Julia (Fleetman) Yarnell.

Shirley graduated from Frackville High School and then was employed as a PBX operator at Bell Telephone until her marriage to Jim Lerch Sr. in August 1954.

Shirley was a member of Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, Frackville, JOY Class and a member of Eastern Star.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Lerch Sr., in 2004, her brothers, Lester Yarnell Jr. and Donald Yarnell; a sister, Marian Masser; a granddaughter, Jamie M. Haggerty.

Surviving are her children, James and his wife, Dawn, of Pine Grove, Gary and his wife, Bonnie, of Elysburg, and daughter, Felice and her husband, Jim Haggerty, of Towanda. In addition, Shirley leaves behind her grandchildren, Steven Haggerty, Lindsey Lengle, Meredith Zuloaga, David Lerch; great-grandchildren, Mercedez Haggerty, Natalie and Dorothy Zuloaga. Also surviving Shirley are her sisters, Lois Andrews, Carlisle, and Alma Derr, Frackville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Nice- Hart Funeral Home, Inc., 9 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville. The Rev. Jeff Merwine will be officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity E.C. Church Memorial Fund, 56 N. Balliet St., Frackville, PA 17931. Burial will be held in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville.