(February 20, 1924—September 17, 2010)

Major Gerald J. Spencer was promoted to Glory from Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fla.

Gerald was born in Rochester, N.Y., into the home of Glenn Dewey Spencer and Vera Mae (Swartzentruber). The family came from a Mennonite background, but at the beginning of the 20th century, Gerald's grandfather, Major Peter Swartzentruber, was saved at a Salvation Army open–air meeting in Malone, N.Y. Therefore, Gerald was a third–generation Salvationist.

A veteran of World War II, Gerald entered officer training in 1946. A year earlier, he had married his wife, Margaret, who was already trained as an officer. They later served together in New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In 1983, they were transferred to the Greater New York Division and served as administrators of the Anthony Residence, from where they retired in 1989.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Major Marjorie Ann Foster of Pittsburgh, Pa., Barbara Jean Selvek of Canadaigua, N.Y., and Alice May Robson of Lancaster, S.C.; a son, Gerald J. Spencer of Trenton, N.J.; a brother, Major Donald Spencer of Bradenton, Fla.; two sisters, Dorothy Spencer of Bradenton, Fla., and Martha Burse of Riverside, Calif.; three grandsons; six granddaughters; and two great–grandchildren.

Messages of condolence may be sent to Major Marjorie Foster, 109 Piper Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15234.