when he was 16, graduating from Amherst High School in 1931. He lived in the Cleveland area from

1938 until 1994, when he returned to Amherst.

He and his father owned Gerstenberger & Son Hardware Store in downtown Amherst from 1929 to 1938,

located originally on Park Avenue where Dr. Stan Lutz Optometry office is now. Gerstenberger was

employed by Howe Mfg. and George D. Miller Mfg. before establishing his own machine tool and die

company in Cleveland. The company made parts for fighter planes during World War II, operating from

1942 until its sale to Gray Industries in 1973. Gerstenberger was employed by Gray from then until his retirement in 1997.

He coached Little League baseball and was an avid golfer and a 56-year member of John W. Barkley

Masonic Lodge 621, Cleveland.

Survivors include his wife, Valerie (nee Jenkins); son, Henry L. Gerstenberger Jr. of Macedonia, Ohio;

daughter, Anita Neuhauser of Las Vegas, Nev.; and three grandsons and one great-grandson. He was

preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Geraldine (nee Deuker), in 1992; his parents, Henry L.

and Sadie (nee Scherrer) Gerstenberger; and sister, Clara Rose Gerstenberger.

Friends may call Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst,

with Masonic services at 8 p.m. by Lodge 621. Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

The Rev. Bill Sieth will officiate. Burial will be in Lutheran Memorial Park, Hinckley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Protective League of Lorain County, 8303 Murray Ridge

Road, Elyria 44035; or John W. Barkley Masonic Lodge 621, c/o Robert Hubert, 2176 McKinley Ave.,