Mr. Clenroy E. Geist

ClenRoy E. “Crazy Elmer” Geist, 86, of Alburtis, passed away on August 7, 2021 in his residence, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Diane L. (Burk) Geist, whom he married on May 17, 1969.

Born in Alburtis, ClenRoy was a son of the late Elwood A. and Estella M. (Stewart) Geist. He was of Lutheran faith. Throughout his life ClenRoy was employed in various capacities including many years with D&C Spinosa (Allentown, PA) and Wagner Lightning (Boyertown, PA). He retired in 1997 after suffering a stroke. In his earlier years he loved playing softball and bowling for the Lyons Fire Company Bowling League. He enjoyed many years of hunting with his father, brother-in-law, and nephews. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. Watching the Eagles win Super Bowl LII was one of the happiest days of his life. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and he was looking forward to being a great-grandfather.

He began his entertainment career at age 13 when he joined his father and older brother performing in minstrel shows in Longswamp, PA. At the age of 14, he became a member of a local country group, Earl Keller and the Melody Rangers. He continued to sing and do comedy with that group for 19 years using the stage name of “Elmer”. Over time, new jokes and stories based on personal experiences were added to his repertoire. He also incorporated physical comedy into his act. He sometimes appeared on the stage roof or climbed in and out of trees. In 1968 when Earl Keller decided to temporarily retire from the music business, Elmer joined another popular local country group, Shorty Long and the Santa Fe Rangers, and his stage name was changed to what he was best known by…Crazy Elmer.

In 1977, Crazy Elmer began performing with The Outlaws. Although musicians changed over the years, he continued to perform with The Outlaws for 43 years. He was very proud when his grandson Kyle joined the group as a vocalist and lead guitarist. Beginning in 1997, in addition to performing with the Outlaws, Crazy Elmer began appearing at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse with New Jersey’s premier country show and dance band, The Tim Gillis Band, which also played at Split Rock Lodge and various Atlantic City casinos. Crazy Elmer also performed at Penn’s Peak in the Branson Fever Show which included Dave Rehrig’s tribute to Conway Twitty, as well as with The Rehrig Brothers Band at the Carbon County Fair. In addition he entertained solo over the years as a standup comedian at banquets and social events, as well as Grundsow Lodge meetings, Fersommlings which were performed in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.

ClenRoy experienced his share of difficulties over the years but always appeared as scheduled for his performance. He credited his work ethic to his father who told him when he first took the stage as Elmer…”Do it right kid or do not do it all”. In 1962, he was severely injured in a car accident. In spite of the trauma, he missed only the shows that took place during his hospitalization. More than 8,000 of his fans reciprocated his loyalty when they attended a benefit at Macungie Park.

His entertainment career spanned over 72 years during which he shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music including Conway Twitty, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Ray Price and Willie Nelson, just to name a few. Elmer’s favorite performance venue was the Pillow Fire Company Carnival where he appeared annually for 63 consecutive years. He was delighted to meet lifelong fans who first came to see him with their grandparents.

In addition to his wife Diane, ClenRoy is survived by his children, Brenda S. (Geist), wife of Terry R. Isamoyer, Cheryl (Geist) Spiece, Matthew C. Geist and Tara D. Geist; five grandchildren, Kyle Isamoyer, and his wife, Jami, Heather (Spiece) Founds, and her husband, Joe, Austin Isamoyer, Makayla Geist and Nyssa Geist; and two great-grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Irene F. (Geist), wife of Warren W. Wessner; brothers, Walter A. Geist, companion of Evelyn Schlegel, and Ernest E. Geist, husband of Lucille Geist and their families, and his mother-in-law Gladys (Lilly) Burk.

Along with his parents, ClenRoy was predeceased by two sisters, Joyce C. (Geist) Moyer, Linda M. (Geist) Miller, brother-in-law Leonard Miller, and sister-in-law Virginia (Derr) Geist.

A visitation  will be held on Friday August 13, 2021 in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, PA from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Private service will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in ClenRoy’s memory to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2024 Lehigh Street, Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18103 or a charity of your choice.

Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be recorded at www.Ludwickfh.com .