Gerald Gordon VanHouten, 73, of Shipmans Eddy, Warren, PA, Passed away Monday, January 23, 2017, at home, with his wife at his side, after a short battle with lung cancer.

Jerry was born October 20, 1943, at home on Patchen Hill, Brokenstraw Township, PA, to the late Ernest and Betty (Beck) VanHouten.

Jerry was a 1963 graduate of Eisenhower High School, and enlisted in the US Navy.  While there, he was able to fulfill his childhood dream of going to the South Pole after reading about it in the National Geographic magazine.  He was assigned as an electrician on the ice breaker USS Glacier and made two tours to the Antarctic between 1963 and 1967, during the Vietnam Era.

After working at G.E. in Erie and construction in FL, Jerry retired from Warren State Hospital as an electrician after over 30 years.

Jerry and his wife traveled many miles by car or motor home—seeing all the states except Hawaii and Arkansas.  Nova Scotia was another favorite place of theirs.  They spent 3 months in Mexico Beach, FL, for the past 10 years, making many good friends there and in Alaska and Prince Edward Island.

Jerry was an avid lifelong fisherman and also attained his goal of 14,000 miles on his bicycle.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Schuyler) VanHouten, whom he married September 6, 1986; daughter, Wendy Newton, of Jamestown, NY; 4 grandchildren, Christina, Jillian, Georgia, and David; 2 stepsons, Steven Machemer, of Jamestown, NY, Robert Machemer, of Sheffield; a step-granddaughter, Autumn; two sisters, Gloria (Ken) Deninay, of Spring Creek, and Judy (Ronald) Craker, of Sugar Grove; two brothers, Thomas (Laura) VanHouten, of Pittsfield, and David (Cheryl) VanHouten, Sugar Grove; and 11 nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Jerry's wishes, there will not be a funeral service.  A memorial service may be held at a later date by the river.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution should consider the DAV Fishing Tournament, C/O John Hoden, 3010 Mt. Hope Rd, Titusville, PA 16354, or to a charity of choice.