Jeraline Joan Mellinger, 76

October 10, 2023

Jeraline Joan Mellinger, 76, of Willow Valley Communities, was made whole and welcomed home into eternal life with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. She was a joyful, energetic and loving, wife, mom and grandma. Her husband of 52 years, Barry Mellinger, preceded her in death. We are comforted to know that “Bar & Jer” are reunited in Heaven.

Jeraline was born December 6, 1946, in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Jerome and Adeline (Turnley) Zeller. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and Biola University in Southern California where she studied the Bible and received her bachelor’s degree in social science. She met her husband, Barry of Lancaster, PA, in California where they were married and served in camp ministry at Mile High Pines and Emerald Cove Camp. Jeraline’s love for nature was nurtured by her family with hunting, fishing and camping throughout the Northwest. Jeraline would say, “how can anyone look at nature and not believe that there is a Creator?”

Jeraline and Barry moved back to Pennsylvania where they started a family and raised their three children in Moriah Valley, a Christian community they helped start with four other couples. Jeraline worked alongside Barry as his bookkeeper at Mellinger Foods and retired in 2005.

Jeraline was full of life and was always up for an adventure. She enjoyed camping and skiing with family and friends, and she loved to eat, especially sweets. She was always encouraging her family through Bible verses. She was involved in her children’s classrooms at Living Word Academy, attended all their sports, theater and music events and volunteered as a hot lunch mom. She had a caring nature, made her home a place people were drawn to and extended her hospitality to others by hosting Fresh Air Children for numerous summers and exchange students from Spain and Japan. After her kids were out of the house she volunteered with the National Day of Prayer, sang in church choir, enjoyed playing the piano and volunteered at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community.

Jeraline will be remembered for her joyful smile, laugh and whistle.

Jeraline is survived by her three children, Josh Mellinger (husband of Christel Triplett) of Murfreesboro, TN, Abby (wife of Jason Gryszkowiec) of Lititz, PA, and Kristy (wife of Gene Clark) of Lancaster, PA; her grandchildren, Ian, Addison and Ella Mellinger, Kate and Peter Gryszkowiec, Mason, Liam, Timothy and Andrew Clark; her sister-in-law Diane Edwards of Mount Joy, PA, and her brother-in-law Curt Mellinger of Mountville, PA. Jeraline was preceded in death by her husband Barry, father Jerome, mother Adeline, and brother Jonathan Jay.

Friends and family will be received privately. Jeraline will be interred with Barry at Cross Roads Church, Mount Joy, PA.

Memorial Contributions in Jeraline’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association. 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 www.alz.org

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV

Watch the tribute video