Russell R. Gestl

Russell R. Gestl, 93, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the home of his loving eldest daughter, Meg and her husband Frank. She was his primary care giver for more than 3 years. He was the devoted husband of the late Frances (Ender) Gestl, with whom he shared over 67 years of loving marriage before her passing in 2022. Born on February 29, 1932, in Allentown, he was the son of the late Rudolph and Frances (Stubitz) Gestl. He was a Leap Year baby who enjoyed having a "real" birthday every four years. He was the third youngest of 11 children and always loved telling stories about his childhood growing up with 6 older brothers in the family home on Spring Street in Bethlehem. He was active, athletic and a Bethlehem City Wrestling Tournament Champion. After his school years, Russ served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1949 to 1952, saw active duty in the Korean War, and was a very proud veteran. Following his military service, he began a long and successful career as a Union Brick Mason first with John B. Kelly, Inc. of Philadelphia, and later as a top Foreman for Masonry Construction Corp. Russ ran many large masonry projects from northern Pennsylvania to Washington DC, including White Haven State Hospital, the Lehigh County Jail Facility, the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant, the Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Building in our Nation's Capital. A man of deep faith, Russ was a dedicated member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Bethlehem, where he and Frances were married and raised their family. Holy Ghost and its Catholic Youth Organization were a central part of Gestl family social and athletic activities for over 20 years. Russ was always there, coaching, volunteering, cheering, driving and working the concession stand with his friends. Like everything he did, Russ was all in. He will be remembered and missed by everyone that ever interacted with him. Russ was known for his strong work ethic, friendly nature, and deep respect for others. He was devoted, supportive, and always present in his children's lives. Family was his greatest joy, and he cherished every moment spent together. Above all, he was the Best Dad Ever! Survivors: Russ will be lovingly remembered by his children, Russell Gestl and wife Gail, John Gestl and wife Coleen, Joseph Gestl and wife Sandra, Mary Agnes "Meg" Todd and husband Frank, and Robin Garcia and husband Ivo; grandchildren, Derek Gestl, Amanda Gestl (Alec Jenkins), Jessica Gestl, Christine Gosch (Donnie), John Russell Gestl, Paul Gestl, Alia McMahan (Josh), Michele Todd, Andrew Todd (Genova), Colette Todd, Aijah Garcia, Atticus Garcia, Brianna Garcia, and Justin Garcia; and great-grandchildren, Harleigh and Jude Gosch, Stella and Beau Todd, Jamison and Leighanna Todd, and Brader and Landry Jenkins. Russ is also survived by his younger sister, Delores (Laurie) Schwenk, the only remaining sibling. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Frances; his daughter, Regina "Gigi" Gestl; and his siblings Rudolph, Isabel (Derr), Frederick, Charles, Herman, Mildred (Hertzog), Herbert, Raymond, and Ernest. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Ursula Catholic Church, 1300 Broadway Fountain Hill, PA 18015. Family and friends may call on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden St., Bethlehem and also on Saturday morning from 9 A.M. until time of the Mass in the church. Interment will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Russ's memory to Ascend Hospice, 1120 Welsh Rd, North Wales, PA 19454 or the Dementia Society of America dementiasociety.org. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell, please visit our floral store.