Gary was a route driver for Martin Potato Chips, Inc. in Thomasville, PA, for 14 years. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant. He retired from the military after 20 years of service. Gary was an avid Washington Capitals fan. He enjoyed playing golf with his close friends and brother Brian, and spending time with his family.
Surviving are children, Jason Etzler and wife Jamie of Taneytown, MD, Lisa Koons and husband Kevin of Fairfield, PA, Ryan Etzler and fiancée Crystal Barsht of Frederick, MD, and their mother, Donna Etzler of Taneytown; daughter, Teresa Etzler and fiancée Maggie Perez of Bowie, MD, and Teresa’s mother, Maria Cheek of Abbottstown, PA; brother, Brian Etzler and wife Dotti, and nephew, Kevin Etzler of Emmitsburg, MD; step-children, Tanya and Roger Vaughn, and Christopher and Timothy Leight; 12 grandchildren; and 6 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by nephew, Kyle Etzler.
A memorial service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2015 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD, with Deacon Charles E. Barnhart, Jr. officiating. Inurnment will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Rd, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL, 32256; Tanner’s Touch at www.tannerstouch.org; or to Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD, 21787 to help defray funeral expenses.