Rev. Clarence Gerald Blake Jr.

The Rev. Clarence Gerald "Jerry" Blake Jr., 85, of Covington Twp., died Saturday, Sept. 24, at home. He was the husband of the Rev. Gladys Francine (Fortuna) Blake, and they were married for 22 years.

Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Clarence Gerald Sr. and Alice (Davidson) Blake.

Jerry enjoyed teaching and preaching the Gospel in the United Methodist churches for over 60 years. Along with preaching, he was an elder and associate member of the Susquehanna Conference. He was honored to be a 33rd Degree Mason, making his father so proud and his lodge brothers true friends. Jerry enjoyed meeting with the North Pocono clergy breakfast group, and the friendships he made there were very dear to him. Not fearing the use of humor, he would inject it into his sermons, weddings and church board meetings. Jerry was very high energy and his magnetism was contagious.

He was proud of the two master's degrees that he earned, one in history and one in education. Jerry spent more than 30 years teaching at Maine Endwell High School, where he found much joy and friendship. While teaching, he led Park Terrace UMC for 20 years with his first wife, Lois, by his side, leading the choirs. Lois and Jerry were married for over 30 years, sharing two daughters, Aleith and Clarese. Later in life, he married the Rev. Gladys Fortuna-Blake and she and her family unofficially adopted Jerry. He would want us to praise God for every day of our lives with the old hymns of the church.

Surviving Jerry are his daughters, Aleith Blake Lord and her fiancé, James Hunter; and Clarese Blake Wilkerson and husband, Ken, Staunton, Va.; his grandchildren, Calee Lord Sanford and husband, Phillip; Cassandra Lord Hunsberger and husband, Steven; Kenneth Wilkerson and wife, Samantha; and Blake Wilkerson and wife, Cammy; his great-grandchildren, Abigail Lois Sanford and Jackson Wilkerson; his former son-in-law, David Lord Jr.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Reedy Blake; his sisters, Alison Blake Hazzard and Geraldine Blake McFadden.

His family would like to express gratitude to the staff of Traditional Home Hospice, especially Elisabeth, Micky, Paula, Carol, Karen, Theresa, Diana and Debbie for their inspiration, constant love, expertise and compassion.

The funeral service will be on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Maple Lake United Methodist Church, 632 Route 690, Spring Brook Twp., with the Rev. Eric Luzcak, the Rev. Robert J. Simon and the Rev. Earl Trygar officiating. Interment will follow in Willow View Cemetery in Clifford.

Viewing will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Masonic service at 8 at Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes and Cremation Services LLC, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp. An additional viewing will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to the time of the service at Maple Lake United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jerry's name may be made to Traditional Home Health Care & Hospice, 113 W. Drinker St., Dunmore, PA 18512, or to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

To share your fondest memories with Jerry's family, visit the funeral home website or Facebook.