More than 50 members of the Stern family, community members and both current and former elected officials, gathered at the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park for the dedication ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

Stern, who was born in Roaring Spring and later moved to Martinsburg, served as Blair County prothonotary and clerk of courts before being elected to represent the 80th House District in 1992, where he would serve until his retirement in 2014. He died in December 2024 at the age of 69.

According to Gretchen Bettwy, one of Stern’s two children, the ceremony represented a “day of remembrance for my father — a great leader for his community, church and family.”

Bettwy said that her family was initially hesitant to authorize the dedication, since Stern was “a humble man, never one to seek the spotlight.”

Family members of Rep. Jerry A. Stern pose near a sign designating state Route 164 as the Representative Jerry A. Stern Memorial Highway. Courtesy photo

“However, the more we thought about it … the more we realized the significance of what this means, and we are honored to accept it,” she said.

Stern had an ability to see things in people they couldn’t see in themselves, she said, which he used to encourage those around him to reach new heights.

“They don’t make many men like my father anymore, and we are so blessed to have been able to learn from him,” Bettwy said.

During his tenure in Harrisburg, Stern emerged as a well-respected leader in multiple aspects, according to state Rep. Scott Barger, who was elected to represent Stern’s former 80th District seat in 2024.

“What we had in Jerry Stern was a great example of what a dad looks like, what a man of God looks like and what a dedicated public servant looks like,” Barger said. “It’s good to take a moment to honor that.”

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, noted Stern’s distinguished service in Harrisburg.

“Jerry Stern served in the statehouse for 22 years, he dedicated his life to this area and our commonwealth,” she said. “He wasn’t an empty suit who sat idle in his office; he worked hard to serve his constituents.”

Ward, who was elected as the representative for the 80th District in 2015 following Stern’s retirement, said, “(Stern) is my role model as a public servant, and should be for others as well.”

Having a state road named in remembrance of a public figure is a “rare and honored gesture,” according to PennDOT District 9 Executive Vince Greenland.

Only four roads in Blair County currently bear this distinction.

“You can tell from these numbers … that this is a remarkable honor that is bestowed on only a select few,” Greenland said.

Martinsburg Mayor Richard Brantner Sr. said Stern was a veritable “Mr. Martinsburg” for the broad admiration he held in the Cove.

Brantner read a proclamation declaring Sept. 18 as “Jerry Stern Day” within the borough after the dedication ceremony.

“He was a Christian man, and he lived the life. There was nothing fake about him — what you saw is what you got,” Brantner said. “Martinsburg was proud to have him.”

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.