Donald Arthur Gehris

We are saddened to announce the passing of a well-known and respected member of the community; a beloved husband, father and friend to many. Mr. Donald Arthur Gehris, 78, of Wilkes-Barre, passed into glory the afternoon of Friday, December 26th following a brief inpatient stay at the Wilkes-Barre Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
                        Born on Wednesday, January 22, 1947 in Wilkes-Barre, he would have celebrated his seventy-ninth birthday in just three weeks. He was the son to the late Donald and Frances (Gregory) Gehris. When he was a young child, the family relocated to Bradford County for several years; living and working in Sayre and Athens. It was here he would graduate from the Athens High School in 1965.
                        Following his formal education, Mr. Gehris entered the military on May 20, 1966 and proudly served our country with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He served with the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, earning the rank of Sergeant at the time of his Honorable Discharge from military duties on October 31, 1969.
                        Upon his return home, and having an affinity for local railways, Donald took employment as a conductor with the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he was being groomed to eventually become an engineer. Later in life, he became employed as an office manager for Daltech Machining Corporation of Hanover Township prior to his retirement.
                        Most recently he lovingly took on the role of caregiver to his wife Linda who has been challenged with mobility issues for a number of years.
                        He and his family held membership in Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Main Street, Hanover Township where he served as Trustee for the congregation.
                        In his spare time he enjoyed a good game of Chess. He was even a founding member of the Chess Club at the Ousterhout Free Library in downtown Wilkes-Barre. His love of the game was enhanced by the ever evolving technologies of the internet; affording him to play against a host of fellow Chess enthusiasts while still being able to care for his Linda at home.
                        He and his wife, the former Linda L. (Litzenberger) Gehris shared fifty-four and a half years of married life together, being wed on June 25, 1971.
                        Above all else, Donald is best remembered as being a loving and most devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. His presence will be missed by all those who knew and loved him in this life.
                        Left to cherish all the wonderful memories they keep of him now in addition to his beloved wife Linda at home are the couple's daughter, Deena Lynn Mahon and her husband Don of Hanover Township; Grandchildren Isabella and Caelan Mahon; Sister, Mrs. Barbara Updyke of Waverly, N.Y.; Brother-in-Law and best friend, Mr. Jack Mather and his wife Karen of South Wilkes-Barre; Brother-in-Law, Mr. Richard (Rick) Litzenberger and his children Adam and Alexa of Sugar Hill, Georgia; His Niece, Molly Mather Donnelly, her husband Tim and their sons Mark and Jacob Donnelly of Carlisle; Nephews Jason Mather and his wife Megan of Doylestown and also Justin Updyke of Waverly, N.Y.; fellow congregation members and many dear friends.
                        Memorial funeral services for Mr. Gehris will be conducted on Friday, January 9th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1000 South Main Street, Hanover Township. The Reverend Peter J. Haenftling, pastor, will serve as leader of worship and thanksgiving.  Friends may call directly at church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
                        Interment will be held privately and at the convenience of the Gehris family.
                        In lieu of floral tributes, the family would be humbled if those wanting to make a monetary donation in Mr. Gehris' memory, kindly consider Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1000 South Main Street, Hanover Township, Pennsylvania 18706.
                        Those wishing to share online words of comfort or a fond memory you have of Don with Linda and Deena are encouraged to do so here on his memorial page. Thank You.

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