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John Gudikunst Obituary
John C. Gudikunst, 75, of South
Whitehall Twp., passed away on March 7, 2017, at home.
He was the loving husband of Lynn E. (Sabatine) Gudikunst. They were married for 48 yrs. on June 29, 2016.
John was a health and physical education teacher at Trexler Middle School in Allentown until retiring. He was a facility manager at Emmaus Aquatic Center and Stonecrest Swim Club, as well as an assistant swimming coach at Emmaus High School.
John was a 1959 graduate of Governor Mifflin High School and a 1963 graduate of East Stroudsburg University. He was a member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity at East Stroudsburg University, was member of the Alumni
Association Board of Directors and was recently
memorialized with a scholarship fund in his name.
Born in Reading, Pa., he was the son of the late Darwin and Hazel (Fordyce) Gudikunst.
He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Orefield.
Survivors: wife; daughters, Kim M., wife of Reid Sadler, of Duluth, Ga., and Amy L., wife of Eric Suloff, of Portage, Mich.; son, Michael J. Gudikunst, husband of Satomi, of Prescott, Ariz.; brother, Ronald Gudikunst, and his wife, Mary, of Mohnton, Pa.; sisters, Carol Ann, wife of David Stanislawczyk, of Shillington, Pa., and Joanne, wife
of Robert Werner, of Mohnton, Pa.; and grandchildren: Brayden, Ashlyn, Logan, Isabella, Kyle, Kenji and Misora.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16th and
Hamilton Sts., Allentown, and on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Church. A Memorial Mass of will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield. www.jsburkholder.com. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the John C. Gudikunst Memorial Fund, c/o
BETA PSI Housing Association, P.O. Box 494, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Gudikunst
Darren Moyer
October 3, 2024
I just wanna say that Mr G was my swimming coach in Trexler and from what i remember, we were undefeated for the 3 years i was there and he was undefeated for the time he coached there. I'll always remember him asking us to get some nylons from our moms so we could wear them in the pool for practice. I ended up becoming a Plumbing and he called our company for work and i went out! It was nice to see hime and he looked good. He will be missed and i will always remember him for sure!
Bud Cole
April 6, 2017
Goody was a wonderful friend and fraternity brother from East Stroudsburg State College. We remained friends throughout the years. If Goody was there you were guaranteed there was also fun and laughter. He is unreplaceable and his memory will forever be held within our hearts.
Stacey Siran
March 13, 2017
I will remember Mr. G. with fondness when I think of working at EMAC. Rest in peace and may I express my deepest sympathy to his family.
Joanne Koury
March 13, 2017
While I didn't know John personally, please accept my condolences. The community lost a devoted swim professional who gave the sport so much.
Michael Richardson
March 12, 2017
Deepest condolesences to the entire Gudikunst family from the both of us. John was truely a "class act" and we were fortunate to have known and worked with him.
Mike & Dee Dee Richardson
Rich Houck
March 12, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Goody was one-of-a-kind. He was a great fraternity brother, friend, and coach. He will be greatly missed by all.
Mary Kay Krause
March 11, 2017
I first met Goody 15 years ago (seems like so much longer though!), when I moved to PA and started working at EMAC. He had such a passion for this club, that it was contagious. It was such an amazing group of people and I miss that time in my life. I would bring my daughter to work with me and he made me laugh all the time. He made her such a sweet welcoming gift that she still has it. He stained/painted baby blocks with her name and a mini wooden chest filled with gold dollar coins. He even made her a mini paycheck! I always felt so welcome there and EMAC became a second family, largely in part due to him.
My sincerest condolences to his family - I know he loved you beyond measure from the way he talked about all his loved ones. He will be missed deeply.
God bless Lynn and his whole large circle of family and friends. He had a big heart and if you knew him, you loved him.
Bob Bossler
March 11, 2017
Dear Lynn & Family,
Sending our heartfelt sympathy to you & your family. May your memories sustain you at this time & give you strength. God bless
Bob (class of 1959) & Barb Bossler
Deb Gault
March 11, 2017
Condolences to the Gudikunst family. We spent many summers at Stonecrest with Mr. G in charge. He was an awesome swimming instructor, with tons of patience. He ran the club like clockwork. A wonderful man who will be missed by all.
Ronald Kucharczuk
March 11, 2017
I met Goody in college at East Stroudsburg, and from that day our friendship just kept on building. From college to our married lives our families grew together, and we watched our kids grow up. When our family moved to Arizona we always kept in touch. When you have friends like GOODY and LYNN you are Blessed. GOODY I know that you are in GODS loving arms.---- CHUBBY
Jason Hoffman
March 11, 2017
Mr. G was both a gym teacher at Trexler and ran the Stonecrest swim club in the summers of my youth. He was always friendly, had a great smile and pushed us to do our best. Very sorry to hear of his passing. RIP Mr. G!
Alissa Kachinski
March 11, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Gudikunst family. I was sad to hear of Mr. G's passing. I will always remember him as the boss who gave a Parkland High School student a summer job at an Emmaus swim club! Rest In Peace, Mr. G!
Penny Pantano
March 11, 2017
Dear, dear "Gudi", my friend and mentor at EMAC. My heart goes out to his family and the whole EMAC swimming community. We have lost a special member of our family. "Gudi" made working at the "bubble" fun. He was a great coach and teacher. He was a master at creating winning lineups and motivating the whole team from the youngest to the oldest. I'm sure he is keeping the angels laughing, just as he did here on earth. Rest In Peace dear friend.
Jeremy Flamisch
March 10, 2017
Mr.G always had a huge impact on me at Trexler middle school he was more then a gym and health teacher to me he helped tutor me in the mornings in the cafeteria Thank you Mr.G
Sharon Falcone
March 10, 2017
Lynnie and family, we are so sorry to hear of Gudi's passing. I so enjoyed our visits and our last one was so wonderful. Lynnie, you are like a sister to us more than a cousin and we love you so much. Please give Kim, Michael, and Amy a hug from all of us. If you need anything, you know we are only a phone call away. Love, Hilda, Sharon, David, Yvonne, and family.
Virginia Boyle
March 10, 2017
"Mr. G." was a special person to my entire family. We were very glad to have known him. Deepest sympathy to his entire family.
Ben Bernhard
March 10, 2017
My deepest sympathy's go out to the Entire "Gudi" family Mikey, Kim, Amy and Mrs "G". Mr "G" was my swim coach, my gym teacher at Trexler Middle School and my boss at Stonecrest Swim Club. He will be sorely missed. May you rest in Peace Mr "G".
Larry Bernhard
March 10, 2017
John was a long time friend, teacher to my children and a wonderful swimming coach. He was very dedicated to the swimming world. He will be missed. Our prayers go out to the family. He was the reason we became members of Stonecrest Swim Club and spent 16 yrs there. He will always be remembered. God Bless the entire family.
Diane Roberts
March 10, 2017
First he was my Trexler swimming coach then he was a mentor and co-coach at EMAC. But mostly he was a kind and gentle soul, a friend, and a man that will be missed, especially in the swimming community.
I miss analyzing swimming stats and swapping swimming stories with you.
The last time I saw Mr. G was at my own father's funeral.
May you rest in peace.
Diane Roberts and Sam and Eric Tatum
Paula Yanders
March 10, 2017
Lynn, Kim, Michael & Amy, my deepest sympathies for your loss. Thinking of all of you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Thomas Barrow
March 10, 2017
Goody was a one of a kind friend to all. Every time I came back east he would organize a "breakfast get together" with my old early 1960's ESU buddies for me. A great friend, a great "brother", a great family man and a truly great person to anyone who knew him.
Leigh Steele
March 10, 2017
So sorry to hear of the loss of my gym teacher, track coach, colleague and friend. My condolences to Lynn and the entire family. He was a absolute credit to his profession and an inspiration to all phys ed teachers to follow. His coaching record was legendary and I predict will never be surpassed. But even more amazing was his outstanding sense of humor. All those that taught with him or were his friend have numerous Goody stories to tell and remember. God bless you John. I am sure you have the lunchroom in heaven in stitches.
Walter Bell
March 10, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family on your loss.
As a veteran swimming official, I always enjoyed seeing 'Gudi'. He was extremely witty, and always had a good-natured jab. It got to the point I would ask him why he didn't become an official. His routine answer was 'I am not old enough'.
He will be missed.
Susan Johnson
March 10, 2017
Very sad, my deepest sympathies to family and friends. John was a very special person and he will be missed.
Ollie Newhard
March 10, 2017
EHS and EMAC swimming will miss this great coach, friendly and funny man. Such a heart and love for life and people. We are all so lucky to have fond memories to help with the loss.
Vicki Hoffman Miller
March 10, 2017
Such sadness...my deepest sympathies to all of you...Mr. G was a great coach and an all around great guy looking to help and teach others...his hiring me at Stonecrest was a blessing for me...I will always be thankful.
Susan Dilcher
March 10, 2017
Fond memories of Mr. Gudikunst and our gym classes and doing the President's Physical Fitness Program every year.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Connie Archer
March 10, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the family.
"Goody" was loved by all!
Connie Archer
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J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home Inc.1601 W Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102
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