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Gabriel "Gabe" A. Lerch, a Derail Lawn and Tree Service employee from Hershey, was found dead at the wastewater treatment facility’s west plant in the 700 block of Lingle Avenue in Lebanon around 7 a.m. on Mar. 5, according to the Lebanon County coroner’s office and his obituary.
Lerch was a 2021 graduate of the Hershey High School who also attended the Encounter Church of Palmyra, according to his obituary.
He was an athlete who played soccer and basketball, and also enjoyed climbing, his obituary states. He trained at Paramount’s Ninja Warrior and was a member of the Palmyra Sportsmen’s Association.
He also loved video games, dogs, and his family, according to his obituary but it is also evident in social media posts.
Lurch is survived by his parents Jennifer Miller, wife of Chris of Lebanon, and Matthew C. Lerch husband of Jaclyn of Hershey; five siblings, Isabella Lerch and Angelina Lerch, both of Harrisburg, Kaylee Miller of Middletown, Milena Miller, and Franklin Lerch; his paternal grandfather, Marlin J. “Pork” Lerch, Jr. of Hershey; his maternal grandparents, Francis and Joyce Vuxta of Elizabethtown; his step-grandparents, Gary and Donna Evans of Honduras, Helen and Doug Zimmerman of Maytown, and Jay and Grace Miller of Mount Joy; as well as a large extended family, his friends, former classmates, and co-workers, according to his obituary and social media.
His community is remembering him on social media as well.
"Gabe was a strong individual, with a vibrant personality that impacted his friends and loved ones in a positive manner," Collin Lively wrote a GoFundMe page he started for his friend's family.
A Celebration of Gabe’s Life will be held with Pastor Ted Simmons at Encounter Church of Palmyra, 220 Campbelltown Road, Palmyra, PA 17078 on Wednesday, Mar. 16 at 2 p.m., followed by a private inurnment, according to Lerch’s obituary.
You can view a livestream of the service here.
Memorial contributions are being made in his name to Caron, an organization that helps those with addiction, at Caron Development Office, 243 North Galen Hall Road, Wernersville, PA 19565 or at https://www.caron.org/donate-now, as written in his obituary.
You can learn more about the different ways you can donate and support the family here.
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