Gerard G. "Jerry" Wilhelm

Gerard G. "Jerry" Wilhelm lived his life with the radio playing, the crabs steaming, and his family gathered close. Born on Valentine’s Day in 1945, he loved lasting traditions, traveling the world, and his family. On July 13, 2026, after a brave, year-long rumble with esophageal cancer, Jerry passed away peacefully at the Pappus Hospice House, surrounded by the love of his life and wife of 59 years, Marilyn Joanne "Mary Jo" Wilhelm, and his family.

Jerry spent 47 dedicated years working at Western Electric (which changed names over the years), but his true life's work was found at home. Although he loved traveling the world with Mary Jo, he created a haven on Hilltop in New Freedom, a home featuring a beautifully tended yard, the prettiest sunsets around, a poetic pool fl anked by farms, and a garden where he grew the perfect vegetables. If he wasn't tinkering around the house or catching up with his cherished "Haircut Group," he was embracing the simple joys of summer. He was happiest listening to Orioles games on the radio by the pool, blasting Steely Dan or the Doobie Brothers on the car stereo, or keeping country music humming in the garage. In the fall, he could be found in front of his gigantic TV, passionately yelling at the Ravens to "get him!"

Above all, Jerry loved his family, a passion cultivated while growing up among scores of cousins, aunts, and uncles who all lived within blocks of each other in Highlandtown. His absolute favorite place to be was sitting at the backyard picnic table on a warm summer night, sharing a pile of freshly steamed crabs with the people he loved most, or toasting with a good glass of red wine over a delicious meal during the holidays (where he always opened his gifts last).

He leaves behind his devoted wife, Mary Jo; his two daughters and their husbands, Jessica and Michael Rader, and Rebecca and Eric Thiegs; and his seven grandchildren, Christopher Colon, Elizabeth Rader, Wilhelm Rader, Avery Rader, Raina Thiegs, Aidan Senft, and Story Thiegs. He is also survived by his sibling, Billy Wilhelm (Kate); his in-laws, Jim McIlvaine (Sue), Judy Moyer, and Mary McIvaine, as well as all of his nieces and nephews. Jerry has now been reunited with his beloved daughter, Tricia Senft, and his son-in-law, Charles Senft; his siblings, Cathy (Al) and Milton, his brother-in-law, Bobby, his in-laws, Jim and Ethel McIlvaine, and his parents, Catherine and William Wilhelm. Over his 81 years, his journey took him from Highlandtown to Reisterstown, to New Freedom, and fi nally to Dover, leaving a trail of beautiful memories and beautifully manicured lawns behind him.

A celebration of Jerry's vibrant life will be held on Saturday, August 15th at 11:00 AM at Hartenstein Funeral and Cremation Care, Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom, PA.   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pappus House Hospice, 66 Big Mount Road, Thomasville, PA 17364. https://www.pappushouse.org/support-us/#donate.