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Harold Ira Wertz, 97, of McVeytown, died May 3, 2025, at Brookline Manor in Mifflintown.
He was born on Nov. 16, 1927, to William (Happy) Boyd and Esther Ann Harshbarger Wertz, the eighth of ten children.
He graduated from Mount Union Area High School in 1946 and enlisted in the U.S. Army that October. He received an honorable discharge as Private First Class. He attended Lock Haven State Teachers College on the G.I. Bill, graduating in January 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education. In August 1960, he earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance from Pennsylvania State University.
On Aug. 19, 1950, Harold married Beverly Arlene Miller.
Harold taught physical education and coached soccer at East Juanita High School in McAllisterville, from 1953-1954. From 1954-1965, he taught PE, was guidance counselor and coached boys basketball at Rothrock High School in McVeytown. He was coach of the 1963 Rothrock Eagles Pennsylvania State Class C High School Boys Basketball Championship team.
The family moved from McVeytown to Glenns Ferry, Idaho, in August of 1965. Harold was the guidance counselor for the Glenns Ferry School District from 1965-1990.
He married Dawn Pettyjohn Fields on Dec. 7, 1997. Together, they spent many years traveling and living in both McVeytown and Glenns Ferry.
Harold is survived by his wife, Dawn; daughters Barbara Howard (Max) and Amy Wertz; son Gary Wertz (Iris); stepdaughters Leigh Ann Kurz (Richard) and Yvonne Boozel (Steve); 11 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Violet Wertz, Ellen Miller and Darlene (Judy) Rynkewitz (Stephen); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, son Lyle Edward, grandson Morgan Blair Wertz, six brothers, and three sisters.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at McVeytown United Methodist Church. You are invited to wear your favorite high school, college or professional sports team attire.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McVeytown United Methodist Church, 3 S. Queen St. McVeytown, PA 17051 or Glenns Ferry United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 276, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623.
Harshbarger Funeral Home, McVeytown, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.harshbargerfuneralhome.com.