William J. "Bill" Gmitter

William J. "Bill" Gmitter, 71, of Reading, Pa. and formerly of Jim Thorpe, died Dec. 8, at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore. He was the husband of Karen A. (Kurelia) Gmitter.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late John and Susan (Hascien) Gmitter.
He was a graduate of Jim Thorpe Area High School.
He retired from Mack Trucks in Allentown as the Director of Human Resources. He worked there for over 30 years.
After retiring he worked for Bieber Bus and Motorcoach Co. of Kutztown. He drove the School Bus 44 in Exeter Township.
He was a veteran and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Reading and was a former member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Jim Thorpe.
He loved being with his family, traveling, camping and fishing. He loved to bake. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor and just loved people.
Besides his wife he is survived by four children: Lisa, wife of Robert Schaninger of Jim Thorpe, Linda, wife of Scott Fenstermaker of Emmaus, William Gmitter and wife Carol of Jim Thorpe and Wayne Gmitter of Bethlehem; brothers: Robert Gmitter and wife Vera of Georgia and James Gmitter of Lehighton; sisters: Pauline Roos of Lehighton and Josephine Walsh of N.J.; 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Services: Memorial Services will be held 10:30 a.m. , Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe followed by 11 a.m. Mass of the Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 526 North St., Jim Thorpe with the Rev. Bechtel officiating. Call 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Parish Cemetery. Memorial Donations my be sent to St. Joseph's Church, 526 N. St., Jim Thorpe, 18229 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, Ill. 60642.