By Susan Bryant

sbryant@tnonline.com

Geraldine “Geri” Yarnall of Coplay, joined by 70 family members and friends, celebrated her 99th birthday March 14 at Northern Valley Ambulance Corps, Ormrod.

Betty Reinhart and fiance, Tim Yarnall, Geri’s son, threw the party in her honor.

Born Geraldine Linde on March 14, 1922, in the Greenawalds section of South Whitehall Township, she is the eldest of six children of the late Carl Oscar Linde Jr. and Margret Lish Greenawald Linde.

She is the granddaughter of the late Aaron Michael Greenawald and Sarah Philene Werley Greenawald.

Yarnall said her grandfather developed Greenawalds in South Whitehall.

He was a justice of the peace, real estate agent and belonged to a number of organizations with which he held various offices.

He also donated the grounds for the Greenawalds United Church of Christ and built the church, she said.

“They were the most wonderful grandparents I could have had,” Yarnall said. “They taught me many things, most importantly about the Lord.”

Yarnall graduated in 1940 from the former South Whitehall High School, now the Troxell Building.

A reporter on the school newspaper, she was co-editor of the yearbook.

“I love writing, doing crossword puzzles, any type of word puzzles” she said. “When I was 11, I had an article in the Evening Chronicle titled ‘Greenawalds girl makes good writing prose and poetry.’”

She was a secretary in the engineer and superintendent’s office at PPL before her marriage to her late husband Marvin Yarnall in 1944.

He was a veteran of the Normandy Invasion during World War II.

The couple had five children Tim Yarnall of Coplay, Kathy Baer of Fort Worth, Texas, Lisa Boll of Reading, Janis Butschek of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Nancy Minnich of Hartsville. Mo.

Yarnall has 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She is still active in church activities and has been a lifelong member of UCC Greenawalds.

Yarnall was asked how it feels to be 99.

“It feels great, except for aches and pains of arthritis,” she replied. “My family and my Lord have been instrumental in my long life.

“Betty (Reinhart) and my son Tim and daughter Lisa have been magnificent in taking care of me.”

Yarnall addressed those attending the party in her honor.

“I am very grateful and humbled by this whole celebration,” Yarnall said. “Thank you, Lord, for all my family and friends.”

Tim Yarnall shared his most fond memories of his mother with The Press.

“My mother has always impressed me how she handled five children and the household while my father worked six days a week and endless hours at Yarnall’s Market,” he said.

Although his dad’s death on Feb. 14, 1986, was a shock to the family, his mother became stronger during that time and held the family together.

“One of the best times between my mother and myself was when she would help me deliver food to the retirement community in 1990,” Tim Yarnall said. “We would load products in a van, and she would help unload, and socialize with the people as we delivered to them.

“Over the years, I always felt mother was physically and mentally 20 years younger than her age.”

When he built an apartment for his mother next to his home in 2004, Yarnall was surprised to see she was constantly on the go.

“My mother loved gardening, dancing with her friends and seeing family,” he said. “Up until a year or so ago, she still drove and, to this day, she continues to live independently.

“Having her live so close, it is a blessing as she continues to tell me stories of her childhood and events that have happened to her over the years.”

Chris Baer also shared memories of his grandmother.

“What an honor and privilege to share this moment with so many friends, family and loved ones,” he said. “Ninety-nine years ago today, a precious baby came into this world. Nana, today, we celebrate you.

“Today we gather to remember your legacy, your love, and your heart for your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“We thank you for your prayers, your guidance and your encouragement.

“Every time I talk with you, I am encouraged and feel empowered to be a better man, husband and father.

“You, Nana, are an incredible blessing to me and everyone who knows you. You are awesome.”