Harold Joseph Zernhelt
Harold Joseph Zernhelt
February 9, 1955 ~ February 25, 2015
Services:
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 4:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD., with Rev. Jim Warren officiating. Interment will be private.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 2, 2015 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD.
Harold “Harry” Joseph Zernhelt, 60, of Lexington Park, MD passed away on February 25, 2015 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on February 9, 1955 in Key West, FL, he was the son of the late Gloria Zernhelt and Theodore Zernhelt. Harry was the loving husband of Deborah L. Zernhelt, whom he married on April 24, 1976 in Allentown, PA. Harry is survived by his children; Bryan Anthony Zernhelt of Lexington Park, MD, Eric Joseph Zernhelt of California, MD, and 4 grandchildren. Siblings; Ted Zernhelt of AL, Nancy Clark of SC., Mary Ann Banko, Carol Hemphill, James Zernhelt, and Joyce Ann Roth all of PA. He was preceded in death by his brother Steven Zernhelt. Harry graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1973.
Harry joined the United States Navy in September, 1973, his duty stations included; September,1973 to November, 1973 RTC, Great Lakes, Il, November, 1973 to April, 1974 in NCTC, Pensacola, FL, April, 1974 to May, 1976 in Comsecond FLT on board the USS Albany (CG10), USS Puget Sound (AD 38), and USS Mount Whitney (LCC20). Home port, Norfolk, VA, May, 1976 to July, 1979 Cincpac, Honolulu, HI, July, 1979 to October, 1982 NSGA Northwest, Chesapeake, VA, October,1982 to November, 1985 on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Norfolk, VA, November, 1985 to December, 1988 NSGA Charleston, SC, January, 1989 to January, 1991 in Suslak, Seoul, South Korea, and January, 1991 to November, 1993 in NESEA, St. Inigoes, MD, While serving in the Navy, he earned the Navy Good Conduct Medal (5), Navy Rifle-Marksmanship Ribbon (Expert), Navy Achievement Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), National Defense Service Medal (2), Joint-Service Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal , and Joint Service Achievement Medal. After serving 20 years, he retired in November, 1993 and worked as a CT Specialist for SAIC.
Harry enjoyed going to his children’s and grand children’s football games, playing with his grandchildren, and loved being with family.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 2, 2015 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel Leonardtown, MD with a Funeral Service at 4:00 PM with Rev. Jim Warren officiating. Interment will be private.
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February 9, 1955 ~ February 25, 2015
Harold “Harry” Joseph Zernhelt, 60, of Lexington Park, MD passed away on February 25, 2015 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on February 9, 1955 in Key West, FL, he was the son of the late Gloria Zernhelt and Theodore Zernhelt. Harry was the loving husband of Deborah L. Zernhelt, whom he married on April 24, 1976 in Allentown, PA. Harry is survived by his children; Bryan Anthony Zernhelt of Lexington Park, MD, Eric Joseph Zernhelt of California, MD, and 4 grandchildren. Siblings; Ted Zernhelt of AL, Nancy Clark of SC., Mary Ann Banko, Carol Hemphill, James Zernhelt, and Joyce Ann Roth all of PA. He was preceded in death by his brother Steven Zernhelt. Harry graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1973. Harry joined the United States Navy in September, 1973, his duty stations included; September,1973 to November, 1973 RTC, Great Lakes, Il, November, 1973 to April, 1974 in NCTC, Pensacola, FL, April, 1974 to May, 1976 in Comsecond FLT on board the USS Albany (CG10), USS Puget Sound (AD 38), and USS Mount Whitney (LCC20). Home port, Norfolk, VA, May, 1976 to July, 1979 Cincpac, Honolulu, HI, July, 1979 to October, 1982 NSGA Northwest, Chesapeake, VA, October,1982 to November, 1985 on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Norfolk, VA, November, 1985 to December, 1988 NSGA Charleston, SC, January, 1989 to January, 1991 in Suslak, Seoul, South Korea, and January, 1991 to November, 1993 in NESEA, St. Inigoes, MD, While serving in the Navy, he earned the Navy Good Conduct Medal (5), Navy Rifle-Marksmanship Ribbon (Expert), Navy Achievement Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), National Defense Service Medal (2), Joint-Service Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal , and Joint Service Achievement Medal. After serving 20 years, he retired in November, 1993 and worked as a CT Specialist for SAIC.
Harry enjoyed going to his children’s and grand children’s football games, playing with his grandchildren, and loved being with family.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 2, 2015 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel Leonardtown, MD with a Funeral Service at 4:00 PM with Rev. Jim Warren officiating. Interment will be private.
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“Thank you for your service.”
“Missing my “little” brother!!!”
“Harry was a great friend. I always enjoyed being around him. He will always be remembered.”
“You were one of a kind and you’ll be missed more than you know. The world lost a great man. We love you, big guy. Always. “
“Dearest Brother – Today I lost my Best Friend!!! Never forgotten, always in my heart!!! Love, Sissy xo xo xo “
“My retirement from the Navy brought Harry and I together as team members. Harry was an early riser and hard charger and we formed a phenomenal team over the next 5 years. I’ll miss Harry’s passion for things, especially the Eagles! RIP Shipmate, your legacy and list of accomplishments will be remembered by us all… Sad Day… :-(“
“I was very sorry to hear about Harry’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Harry over the pass 5 years at SAIC. My thoughts & prayers are with Harry’s entire family during this difficult time.”
“Our sympathies thoughts and prayers to family and friends. While I did not have a chance to work with Harry often (at SAIC), I know he and his family are exceptional by there actions: In spite of all they had on their plate; they always asked my friend Tom how I was doing – this simple act of concern speaks well about the character of Harry and his family. Harry’s service to his country cannot be taken lightly. The sacrifices his family made in support of his military service is commendable also. Rest in Peace. Pharis and Nelia Tyler”
“Debbie & family – So sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.”
“My Dearest Debbie,Bryan and Eric, My heart breaks for you all with the passing of the love of your life and father of your children. Harry was a wonderful, loving, kind hearted man. We were all so lucky to have him in our lives while here on earth.Take comfort in the thought of being reunited with him when our time comes to leave this earth and join him in Heaven. I know he is up there watching over us because that is where the souls of good people go and God knows Harry was one of the best. “
“Deborah,Eric & Bryan, We our sending our most heartfelt sympathies…our thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time.”
“We will always have great memories of Papa Z and the Zernhelt family. We love you guys like family. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. “
“Debbie & family, Harry was a one of a kind person and will me missed by many including myself. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. I always enjoyed teasing him about being a Steeler’s fan, even to the point of putting a Steeler’s magnet on the back truck. Think he drove around with it for a couple weeks before he even noticed. We all got a good laugh about that one!!!”
Harry was my Leading Petty Officer (LPO) on USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) from Jan 84 – Sep 86. Although we never saw eye to eye on occasion he was a professional and knowledgeable sailor. I placed a career profile on Navy togetherweserved.com in memory of him. Rest in peace shipmate.
John L. Corcoran
CMDCM(Ret) USN