John Albert Ertel

John Albert Ertel, 88, of Jersey Shore, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026 at home with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Clarissa M. “Chris” (Allen) Ertel.

Born December 26, 1937, in Williamsport, he was the son of the late Albert and Sarah Elizabeth (Schlee) Ertel, and was raised by his aunt and uncle, William and Mary Hillyard.

John was a proud United States Marine Corp Veteran. After leaving the service, he earned his GED from Williamsport Area High School. He spent his career at Alcan Cable, retiring as a stock room clerk in 2007. John was a member of Anthony Baptist Church.

In his free time, John loved to hunt and enjoyed cleaning and reloading his guns. He was an avid reader, and spent a lot of his time in his garden, carefully tending to and growing the potatoes he loved.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by three children, Rebecca A. Loffredo (Brian), Jonathan M. Ertel, and Joan C. Ertel; four grandchildren, Nicole, Dominic, Emma, and Sarah; four great-grandchildren, Magnolia, Penelope, Augustus, and Silas; and two cousins who were like siblings, Mary Hillyard and Esther Henninger.

Along with his parents and his aunt and uncle, John was predeceased by two siblings, Leon Ertel, and a baby sister, Dorothy Ertel.

A funeral service to honor John’s life will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 14, at Sanders Mortuary, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport. Burial will follow in Woodward Township Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday, at Sanders with military honor guard provided by the Marine Corps League of Williamsport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the Marine Corps League, 507 Cemetery Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 or Anthony Baptist Church, 4750 Quenshukeny Road, Jersey Shore, PA 17740.

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