Alberta V. Bert Gergal, 96, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at the Bloomsburg Health Care Center.

Born in Shenandoah on March 12, 1914, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine (Kowalchick) Kaledas and was raised in William Penn. She resided in Shenandoah and Mahanoy City and most recently in Catawissa at the home of her daughter, Judith.

She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Class of 1931, Shenandoah. For many years she worked as a clerk in Burkes Drug Store and also at Nesbitts Drug Store, both of Shenandoah. She was a member of St. Stephens Church, Shenandoah.

Alberta was a Philly Phanatic and a champion of underdogs everywhere. She was never without her rosary and found some good in everyone. She radiated love and good humor and was the unofficial Henny Youngman of the Mahanoy High Rise. She was also known for the delicious award-winning cakes she provided area churches and charities for their raffles.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Gergal who passed away on April 23, 1975; sisters, infant Marie, Blanche Bubnis and Irean Calderone; and brothers, Leonard, Anthony and Eugene Kaledas.

Alberta is survived by a daughter, Judith and her husband Leonard Visgaitis of Catawissa; a brother, William and his wife Florence of Mahanoy City; a sister-in-law, Margaret Kaledas of Pottsville; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday morning at 10:00 am from Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S Jardin St., Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am in St. Casimirs Church, Shenandoah. Rev. Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Stephens Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to honor Albertas memory, set aside a few quiet moments and say a prayer for her. Knowing Alberta, this would please her enormously.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.