Donald Kerstetter
Donald Kerstetter
Donald Kerstetter
Donald Kerstetter
Donald Kerstetter
Donald Kerstetter

Obituary of Donald Russel Kerstetter

Donald Russel Kerstetter passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 in Port Charlotte, Florida at the age of 89 ½. He was born in Bellefonte, PA and went to Pennsylvania State College (now Penn State University) and graduated at 19 years of age with a Bachelors Degree in Electro Chemical Engineering. He then went to work for Sylvania Electric in Emporium, PA and entered the Army on April 10, 1942 as a second Lieutenant serving at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Texas. He was discharged in November 1945 as a Major and returned to work for Sylvania in Emporium PA where he retired in 1975. Mr. Kerstetter was an avid golfer belonging to 4 golf courses over his life. He had two holes in one, two sub-par rounds, shot his age twice, and "other than that, he was a lousy golfer". In his field of electrical chemical engineering, he was an inventor of some renown giving Sylvania 55 patents and earned a couple on his own. He brought the first fuse tubes into mass production for Sylvania; these were used by the millions in proximity antiaircraft artillery, which helped bring World War II to an end in the Pacific. While working for GTE Sylvania, he spent five weeks in Japan and three weeks in England, Germany and Italy working on materials, processing techniques for vacuum tube manufacturing. Mr. Kerstetter is survived by his children, Barbara, Don L, and Jane; four grandchildren, Claire Fulton and Anna, Julia and Maria Kerstetter. He was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister, and a wife of 64 years, Agnes Shirley Bodnovich. The family will receive friends from 10AM with graveside service to follow, Friday, December 18, 2009 at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens in Punta Gorda. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Agnes. Visit Donald's tribute wall at www.schelmfh.com. Preferred donations may be made in loving memory of Donald to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34288. Arrangements by Paul Schelm Funeral Home in Port Charlotte. Phone (941) 625-3535.
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Visitation

DEC 18. 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Royal Palm Memorial Gardens 27470 Jones Loop Road Punta Gorda, FL, 33982

Service

DEC 18. 10:30 AM Royal Palm Memorial Gardens 27470 Jones Loop Road Punta Gorda, FL, 33982

Interment

Royal Palm Memorial Gardens 27470 Jones Loop Road Punta Gorda, FL, 33982
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