Ronald Gerdeman Obituary

Name: Visitation for Ronald Gerdeman
Start: 2022-08-22T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-08-22T15:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Thomas More Church

Ronald Gerdeman, 81, formerly of Allentown, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2022. He was the husband of Nancy (Odenweller) Gerdeman who passed away earlier this year. They were married for 57 years. Born in Ottawa, Ohio, he was the son of James and Eleanor (Lamont) Gerdeman. Ronald attended Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Ottawa where he graduated in 1959. He received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, in 1963. Ron and Nancy moved to Allentown in 1965 when the Buckeye Pipeline Company transferred him. Ron worked for Buckeye for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2003.

Ron was an active parishioner of St. Thomas More Church, Allentown, where he also coached CYO basketball and baseball for nearly 10 years and actively participated in MOST. In addition, he was a coach and former board member and President for Hamilton Park Youth Association. Ron received an accommodation from Salisbury Township for his coaching and commitment to youth sports. Ron was an avid golfer. He was often seen at Allentown Municipal, golfing and enjoying a beer with his friends. Whenever he traveled, he enjoyed a round at the local golf course and a meal at the best restaurant in town. Ron loved sports - whether he was playing, watching or coaching. He took considerable pride in seeing his children and grandchildren play a variety of sports over the years. He loved running into former players, hearing them call him "coach" and learning about their lives.

Ronald was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, son, Eric, and brother, Donald. Survivors: Daughter: Nicole Witoslawski and her husband, Mark Witoslawski, of Harleysville, PA, and their children, Erica, Ryan and Cole; Son: Jason Gerdeman and his wife, Julie Gerdeman, of Chester Springs, PA, and their children, Caleb, Luke, Abigail, and Seth; Son: Gregory Gerdeman and his wife, Samantha, of Sinking Spring, PA, and their children, Grayson and Griffin; Brother: John Gerdeman and his wife, Gloria, of Findlay, OH; Sister-in-law: Diane Mueller and her husband, Joseph, of Delphos, OH; Brother-in-law: Gary Odenweller and wife, Flo, of Plainfield, IL; Brother-in-law: John Odenweller and his wife, Noreen, of Perrysburg, OH; Brother- in-law: David Odenweller and his wife, Elaine, of Ottawa, OH; Brother-in-law: Steven Odenweller and his wife, Barbara, of Ottawa, OH.

Services: Funeral Mass will be held on August 22nd at St. Thomas More Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, 18103. Visitation prior to Mass at 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the church. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. (www.stephensfuneral.com) Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mercy School for Special Learning. (www.mercyschool.org)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Lima News from Aug. 6 to Aug. 7, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Gerdeman

4 Entries

Joseph Napp

March 22, 2024

I wish to extend my condolences to the Entire Gerdeman Family.

My name is Joe Napp and I am a contractor who worked for Ron when he was with Buckeye. We last spoke, when Ron called to tell me about Nancy. I should have been their for him that night. I was not. My bad.

I first met Ron briefly in the summer of 65 after college and during the Long Island Pipeline Project. Mr. Don Merrimen, Carl Shepard, John Lightner. We were then working on the 2-12"s in NJ and Staten Island. Two months later, I left for my two years in the Army but we met again in 1970s. I was good to reconnect in many ways over the many years. It always better to meet Ron in NJ, rather than when Ron was returning from NYC Fire Department. I went to one meeting with the NYC-FD, Ron was a very special restrained person during those meetings. Special in a good way because he had the strength to survive some adverse discussions. He got through those 'difficult events' very well but had to have a great strong character to survive the meetings. Over the years, he professionally advanced in Buckeye Management (congrats) ....... we would meet a few random times very few years. Generally, I told him, the NY Yankees need some 'Left Handed Pitching' ............ over the last forty years, we built a few job for Buckeye. the last time we met was when he was Building a New House - close to a Golf Course (near Emmaus Office). Nancy was at the site before I got there. Ron was very helpful and supportive of Nancy in the last few years. He was a good man and a good husband. I am sure that he is with Our Lord in Heaven and reunited with Nancy. Good man, good family and a life well lead. Well remembered and well respected.

Joe Napp
New Jersey

Bill Sproule

August 11, 2022

Ron, God bless you. RIP. So glad you were my golf partner; I will miss you on the course.

Pat Bieber

August 8, 2022

To The Gerdeman Family,
My deepest sympathy to you all, on the passing of Ronnie. I got to know him when my mother was living at Heather Glen and so was Nancy. His devotion to her was so inspiring, and he always put her well being ahead of his own. I am so glad I got to see him right before they both moved to Lansdale. May you find some comfort in knowing that they are together once again.

Melissa Newcomer

August 7, 2022

Nicole and Family,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry.

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