John & Mary Jane Zerbe met at Penn State University when John started a dance band and needed a pianist. Love was in the music and they have now been married for fifty-seven years. They had three children over the years and settled into a comfortable life. Mary Jane be- came a teacher and John started a long career in busi- ness that culminated with 25 years of service to Her- shey Entertainment and Resorts, including becoming their CEO and President.
They came to the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home pri- marily because of its location near Hershey and its reputation for quality. They found a secure environment, well constructed housing, and the ability to become involved as much or as little as you want. They have a beautiful home with plenty of room, and feel very much at home. They are surrounded by friends, both new and from Hershey, and maintain a very active life- style.
Bob & Donna Fike shared a love of the outdoors, including skiing. They both came from Elizabethtown where they lived less than a block apart, but did not get together until their involvement in the Ski Club. Bob went into the Army and Donna went off to nurse’s training. They finally got to- gether and eventually had two children and fulfilling careers.
Their move to the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home came through friends they had at the Hershey Evangelical Free Church in Hershey. When considering retirement living they looked at a number of different places but kept com- ing back to Lebanon Valley. “This is a community where people wave to one another and you feel connected,” Donna shares freely. “It is a loving community where peo- ple care about one another and are always there to help when there may be need.”
The Fikes are also impressed by the opportunities for in- volvement, physical fitness, participating in art or wood working, and the social gatherings. Even though some- what new to the community, they have chosen to organize their neighborhood’s block party this fall.
Sam Gearhart met his wife, Kathleen through a mutual friend in a grocery store and the rest is history. Sam worked at Pearl Harbor in the Navy yard as a metallurgical professional and through the years ended up going into business for himself. He enjoys the great facilities we have on our campus with many social activities. He is thankful for the Green Houses here on campus and the call system in every independent living home. He transformed his apartment like it was in his home and feels like he never moved.
Duke & Ginny Hallacher have literally traveled the United States where, as teachers and in their early retirement, they com- pleted a Walk Across America. They continue to be much in de- mand telling the story of their travels and the many wonderful people they met along the way.
“The sweetest sound to me,” states Duke, “is sleeping in on a snowy day while someone else is shoveling our walkway.” Ginny states that you shouldn’t wait to come here because it takes time to adjust and they would have missed out on all the fun things here and the new friends that they have made.
They also appreciate the care and attention of the staff and the comforting feeling that you can come and go as you please. “We didn’t come here to die,” states Ginny, “we came here to live.” candy factory.
Service is an essential part of their life at the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home. You can count on both Dottie and Grubbie to be there for whatever the need may be. Dottie coordinates the Nimble Finger’s sewing program and Grubbie is a regular volunteer in the health center.
“We were never sorry for a minute that we came here. Come early, it’s a wonderful place to live.” Grubbie states, “Don’t hesitate and you will enjoy many years of happiness. You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Their apartment houses an ex- tensive collection of pictures and memorabilia of their many travels and is a comfortable place of rest and for entertaining. Dottie states their life at the Home best when she says, “It’s a wonderful place…we care for one another, and the staff goes out of their way to help everyone.”
Henry Nixon is an inspiration and an institution here at Leba- non Valley. He is respected for his active life style and his car- ing positive outlook on life itself. His one-bedroom apartment is a treasure of nostalgia and testi- mony to his life. Henry was the first Agricultural Instructor for Mr. Hershey’s school for boys, and he later went on to a very rewarding career with the Penn- sylvania Department of Agricul- ture.
Henry is still an avid golfer and fisherman, travels extensively, and enjoys his extended family. He helped to start the Home’s men’s singing group, known as the Harmonizers, and partici- pates with them in their busy engagement schedule. Exercise in the Home’s fitness center and pool and sharing with friends throughout the facility are regu- lar occurrences.