Harry Harold Binger, Jr., of Lock Haven, PA, passed peacefully on September 23rd, 2025, assured of the hope of eternal life through his faith in Christ. He lived a blessedly long and full life with his wife of 61 years, Charlene Metcalf Binger, and his children, Marchal (Brad) Rote of Lock Haven, Beth Strachan of Mechanicsburg, Cathy Binger (Ted Lapina) of Albuquerque, NM, and Michael Binger (Amy Case) of Williamsport. He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren, Sarah (Josh) Strachan Bender, William (Charlotte) Strachan, Josh (Amanda Rauscher) Rote, Zachary (Kelsey) Rote, and Evelyn Binger, and his four great-grandchildren.
Harry, known as “Bing” to those who knew him best, was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Harry Sr. and Catherine Caldwell Binger on November 27, 1937. At the age of five, the family moved to the Williamsport area, where he would live for most of his life. He graduated from South Williamsport (class of 1955) and Gettysburg College (class of 1959). After his marriage in 1964, he and Charlene called Mosquito Valley, Bastress Township, and Montoursville home until 2020, when they made their final move together to the Lock Haven area. He was a Central PA boy through and through, only leaving to teach in Poughkeepsie, New York (1963-65).
In addition to family, Harry’s life was marked by two other great loves – athletics and the outdoors. On the field, he was a fierce competitor in multiple sports, though baseball and football were where he shined the brightest. He played both through high school and college and remained close to many of those teammates until the very end of his life. Harry passionately believed in the power of sport to develop the minds, bodies, and hearts of young men and women, and turned his athletic talents to coaching after college. For decades, he led young men first on the football and baseball fields, and eventually and most notably on the basketball courts of both Montoursville and South Williamsport. Some of those young men are in their late 60s now and have remained close to “Coach” since their teens.
His passion for sports was not limited to those he played or coached but extended to his favorite college and professional teams – most notably the New York Yankees as well as Army and PSU football. Harry possessed the uncanny ability to recall plays, highlights, and scores from any team for which he played, coached, or cheered from 1947 to the present, and he loved engaging with former players and friends.
If he wasn’t on a field or in a gym, you would likely find him fishing, hunting, or talking about it. Harry’s favorite place on earth was always and forever the Caldwell family farm in Potter County, where seven generations have lived, worked, and played. He and Charlene loved nothing more than welcoming their friends and the friends of their children to explore and enjoy this slice of heaven. Whether you came to hunt, fish, hike, or just share a meal and a sit on the porch, you knew from the moment you arrived that you were not only warmly welcomed, but that Harry loved every acre of the place deep in his soul. His presence will forever be felt in the shadows of the mountains and on the banks of Kettle Creek.
As much as the mountains and valleys of Central PA shaped his life, Harry was also an avid explorer and dreamer. He and Charlene traveled west to Wyoming on many occasions. His travel agenda always included fishing and reveling in wildlife sightings. They also enjoyed travel to Alaska, British Columbia, New England, and fishing trips to Lake Ontario, Florida, and Canada, among others.
In his last number of years, Harry spent much of his time at the Eastern Lycoming and Lock Haven branches of the YMCA. In addition to valuing his ability to maintain his physical health, he particularly treasured the many friendships he made through the Silver Sneakers program.
Harry’s faith remained strong and simple to the end. He knew his Savior and found peace about leaving this world. He loved his family, treasured his friends, and never ever shied away from a challenge, which remained fervently clear until his last fighting breaths.
Family and friends will be celebrating the life Harry Binger at Community Baptist Church at 1853 PA-87, Montoursville, PA on Friday October 10th at noon. Friends are invited to call beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Harry received unfailingly kind and professional services from UPMC Hospice for the past five months which helped him to sustain his quality of life. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions are made to UPMC Hospice, 1100 Grampian Boulevard, Williamsport PA 17701 or online at https://www.susquehannahealthfoundation.org/ways-to-give.
Online thoughts and memories can be made at the Gedon Funeral Homes Facebook Page or http://www.GedonFuneralHomes.com
