John H. “Big John” Ettinger, 87, of Allentown, died July 14, 2017, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He and his wife Janet E. (Edelstein) Ettinger were married 53 years on June 13.

Born Jan. 8, 1930, in Allentown, he was the son of the late John C. and Leona M. (Cooperman) Ettinger.

He faithfully and honorably served his counrty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era earning the rank of corporal.

During his service, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars and was assigned to the honor guard and military police for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

A graduate of the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education, he earned a Master’s degree from Lehigh University.

He taught health, physical education, driver education, swimming and Red Cross life saving for 40 years in the Parkland School District before retiring in 1993.

A Parkland High School Hall of Fame inductee in 1993, he served as junior varsity and assistant varsity basketball coach.

He was a 45-year P.I.A.A. football official and a 50-year P.I.A.A. baseball official.

He served 25 years on the South Whitehall Township Recreation Commission and was a 25-year member of the Lehigh Valley Hospital Zipper Club.

In 1991, he was awarded the March of Dimes Human Spirit Award.

He was a member of Christ Evangelical Congregational Church, Allentown.

He will be forever remembered for his zeal, passion and love he had for sports and in particular the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Yankees, and students, alumni and faculty of Parkland.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by sons Dr. John Mark Ettinger and his wife, Cathy Tipton, of Baltimore, Md., Attorney Neil David Ettinger and his wife, Tracy, of Walnutport; sister Esther Nesley of Allentown; and grandchildren Keira and Baylor.

He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Peters.

Family and friends may pay their respects 12:30-3 p.m. July 22 in Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. celebrating his life.

The Rev. Richard D. Reigle will officiate.

Private interment with military honors will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.