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John Gerstle Obituary
Born in Louisville on July 26, 1918 to Frank Ferdinand and Marie Antoinette Gerstle, he attended St. Vincent de Paul and St. Xavier High School. Charlie was a life member of the International Union of Bricklayers, Local #4. He served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Builders Association, the Construction Specifiers Institute, American Turners and a lifetime member of St. Joseph's Orphan's home.
On October 16, 1943, he married Edith "Tee" Mary Doyle. He started work in 1947 for the Louisville Cement Company as a salesman and was an apprenticeship instructor for the General Contractors of America. Charlie built his first house on Southwestern Parkway and was transferred to Statesville, NC, and then to Buffalo, NY. In 1954, they returned to Louisville and their home on Southwestern Parkway. In 1962, they built their final home in St. Matthews. Charlie completed the home in 90 days with the help of his many construction associates. He lived there until August of 2013.
In 1983, he retired from Louisville Cement and continued in sales for PlasterForm of Ontario and as an independent masonry consultant.
Since 1962, he was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council, as Booster President and was an active member of the Men's Club and Seniors group . Charlie was also a Master Bridge player and often was called to substitute when a team was short a player. He was also an avid golfer and played regularly in the annual American Turners Seniors golf tournament with his older brother Emmet. In 2004, at the age of 85, he won the longest drive contest at the tournament. On August 29, 1984, he made a hole in one on the 8th hole at Wooded View Golf Club. Charlie never met a stranger and the family had a running joke that Charlie knew everyone! He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith and infant son, Joseph Martin; his sisters, Mary Catherine and Martha; and brothers, Emmet, Frank, Rob, Gene and Clarence.
He is survived by his sister, Marian Heintzman; his children, Donna Palmer (Steve) of North Yarmouth, ME, John Charles Jr., James Lee (Carol Hartlage), Mary Lou Gerstle of San Francisco, CA, Sally Weller, Jane Childress (Bill) of Las Cruces, NM and Mark Gerstle; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandaughter; and two step-great-grandaughters. The family would also like to give special thanks to Susan Gerstle and Roy Weller, both of whom brought food and spent special time with Charlie.
The family would especially like to thank Dr. Jane Cornett, Angie Etheridge NP, and the entire staff at the Episcopal Church Home for their wonderful commitment, love and care that helped Charlie make his journey gracefully.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 15, 2014 from 2-9 p.m at Ratterman's, 3711 Lexington Rd. in St. Matthews . The funeral mass will Friday, May 16, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Cherrywood Rd., St, Matthews with burial at Calvary Cemetery, 1600 Newburg Road, Louisville.
In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate donations to The Little Sisters of the Poor.
www.RattermanS.com
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Memories and Condolences
for John Gerstle
pat sloan
May 7, 2020
miss your jokes and friendship. you were mr. hospitality, always mentoring the other reps. thank you John for your friendship.
May 23, 2014
I met Charlie fifty years ago when I worked at Atlas Plaster. He was a salesman who would come in with his great smile. Loss contact for years then moved to st. Matthews and was his neighbor. I would walk and see Charlie putting his golf clubs in his car or on his riding mower cutting grass. He always stopped to have a chat and a story. Charlie went to St. Vincent de Paul grade school with my father. Charlie was a lovely man. Sincere sympathy to the family.
Friend and neighbor, Patricia French Isaacs
Michael Cooper
May 16, 2014
Mark I am so sorry to hear about your Father, he was a great man~ I always remember seeing him on his riding lawnmower He lived a long and prosperous life, he will be greatly missed by all of the neighborhood He was a man that you just had to like and always had a smile on his face. Rest in peace Mr.Gerstle ~ Sincerely Michael Cooper
vickie Kirk
May 16, 2014
John As long as you remember your Dad. He lives on in you.
Paul and Marianne Cooper
May 15, 2014
Paul and I extend our sincerest sympathy to the entire Gerstle family on the loss of their dear father and grandfather. Charlie and Tee were our neighbors for many years. In fact before we built in Trinity Hills in 1963, we consulted Charlie. Paul knew him from the Bricklayers Union. Charlie was always so friendly, kind and willing to help us in many ways. Charlie's goodness will never be forgotten and Tee is remembered also for being such a marvelous neighbor. May they both rest in peace. It has been a real joy knowing both of you and the entire Gerstle family, especially Lee, Jane, Sally and Mark.
David Proffitt
May 15, 2014
Charlie will be greatly missed. He was a friend and a kind heart. He is a person who, while I was beginning my career as an architect, always treated me as if I was "one of the gang". He was a pleasure to be around when I had the fortune to be around him whether at a CSI event or playing golf. Whoever he touched always left his presence a little happier. There are not many men like Charlie...I wish there were, we would all be better off! I will miss him! Hit em' Straight Charlie!
Monica Hardin
May 15, 2014
My dear friend John, I am so sorry for your loss. My sympathies go out to the whole Gerstle family. John Sr. lived a long and fulfilling life. May he rest in peace and reunite with his lovely wife.
Karen Cruz
May 14, 2014
Sally, I feel blessed having the pleasure meeting your dad at church picnics and knowing him through you. There will never be another on this earth like him and he was a blessing to every one. All of your family are in my heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
May 14, 2014
Charlie lived a wonderful life. His achievements both personally and professionally are countless. He was a dear friend to me and it was a privilege to know him. I especially enjoyed our trip to Maine to visit his daughter Donna and play golf in The American Turners Annual Golf Outing.
I will never forget the memories, life long lessons, and encouragement. I will dearly miss our conversations. With deepest sympathies-Jeff Clark
Jimsheed Shahriar
May 14, 2014
Charlie was a wonderful individual. I had the pleasrue to spend some time with him both in Louisville and in San Francisco. I will always remember him for his great sense of humor and his great people skills. My condolences to the family and friends.
Robyn Gocke McLean
May 13, 2014
Thank you being a great friend of our family. You will be missed.
Laura Hall Williams
May 13, 2014
To all the Gerstle family, and Mark especially, I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I will always remember Charlie with a big smile and poking fun at everyone in the neighborhood! Rest in peace, Happy Neighbor!
May 13, 2014
Charlie Gerstle was such a friendly and outgoing person. I worked with him for many years at Louisville Cement. I'm deeply saddened by his passing.
Sarah Faulkner Kunert
Retiree ESSROC Cement Corp. [Louisville Cement]
Pat & Bill Sloan
May 13, 2014
Farewell to a great man that lived his life to the fullest. Always there to help personally and share technical expertise. Remembering Charlie's smile and he always had a joke or fun experience to share. Shared much joy with Charlie at Construction Specifications chapter events. Although we have lost a dear friend, I can visualize the twinkle in our Lord's eye as he welcomes Charlie to his heavenly home. My prayers and heartfelt words of comfort to Charlie's family.
May 13, 2014
Thank you for your service to our country . Rest in God's eternal peace. From a grateful American.
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Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home - St. Matthews3711 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40207
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