Peter John Gettings

Peter John Gettings

Peter John Gettings, 87, beloved husband, father and grandfather, of Bethlehem PA, passed away on May 18, 2017.  He was born in Lafayette IN to Peter and Marian (Reitemeier) Gettings.  Pete was a four-sport athlete at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, playing baseball, running track, playing end on the football team, and starting as guard on Jeff's 1946 Regional Champion basketball team.  His athletic career was cut short before his senior year due to a serious football injury, resulting in the loss of his leg.  Pete never let that loss define him and he went on to become a 1951 graduate of Indiana University after also having attended Purdue University.  Pete was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

In May 1955, he married Patricia Joan Laffey in Racine, Wisconsin.  Pete's career in sales took the family to homes in Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey, before settling in the Lehigh Valley in 1968. Pete was an outgoing man who enjoyed entertaining.  His career selling bindery systems to the newspaper, magazine and book publishing industries took him all over the world.  He retired in 1996 as Senior Vice President of Sales at Sheridan Systems.

In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf with his good friends, traveling and visiting his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Thomas Gettings (Maureen) of Lake Forest IL, Elizabeth Gettings (David Lynch) of Houston TX, Peter Gettings (Kirsten) of Chicago IL, Colleen Gettings of Chicago IL and Matthew Gettings of Bethlehem PA, six grandchildren, one great grandchild and his brother William K. Gettings (Beverly) of Lafayette IN. Pete was preceded in death by his wife Pat and his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Anne Catholic Church, 450 East Washington Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18017 on June 10, 2017, at 10:30 am.  The family will receive guests in the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Burial will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any donations be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com.