Raymond R. Gestl, Sr.

Raymond R. Gestl, Sr., 95, of Bethlehem, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.

Born on May 22, 1930, in Allentown, he was the son of the late Rudolph and Frances (Stubitz) Gestl.

Raymond graduated from Liberty Votech in 1948. Following his graduation, he joined the Marine Corps and served in the Korean War before returning home in 1952. Raymond worked as a mason for various companies and retired in 1993. He was a member of the Hellertown American Legion Ackerman Post #397 and enjoyed bowling.

Survivors: four children, Raymond Gestl, Jr. and his wife, Judith, Kevin Gestl and his wife, Lisa, Kathleen Charron, and Carol Wall; brother, Russell Gestl; sister Delores Schwenk; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

In addition to his parents, Raymond is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Barbara (Fletcher) Gestl; and his eight siblings, Rudolph, Fritz, Isabel, Herbert, Charles, Herman, Ernest, and Mildred.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be held at Cedar Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, https://www.stjude.org or to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, www.chop.edu