Russell R. Gestl, 93, of Bethlehem, died Oct. 9, 2025, at the home of his eldest daughter, Meg, his primary care giver for three years, and her husband Frank. Born in a leap year in Allentown, he was a son of the late Rudolph and Frances (Stubitz) Gestl. He was the husband of the late Frances (Ender) Gestl for more than 67 years.

He was in the U. S. Army from 1949 to 1952 and was in the Korean War.

He was a Union brick mason with John B. Kelly Inc. of Philadelphia. He was later a foreman for Masonry Construction Corporation and ran many projects including the Lehigh County Jail, Allentown; the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant; and the Federal Home Loan Bank Building, Washington, D.C.

He was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Bethlehem, and was part of its Catholic Youth Organization more than 20 years.

He was a Bethlehem City Wrestling Tournament champion.

He is surviived by five children, Russell and wife Gail, John and wife Coleen, Joseph and wife Sandra, Mary Agnes “Meg” Todd and husband Frank and Robin Garcia and husband Ivo; 14 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; eight great-grandchildren, Harleigh and Jude Gosch, Stella and Beau Todd, Jamison and Leighanna Todd, and Brader and Landry Jenkins; and a younger sister, Delores (Laurie) Schwenk.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Regina “Gigi” Gestl; and siblings Rudolph, Isabel (Derr), Frederick, Charles, Herman, Mildred (Hertzog), Herbert, Raymond and Ernest. Contributions may be made to Ascend Hospice, 1120 Welsh Rd, North Wales, PA 19454 or the Dementia Society of America dementiasociety.org

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.