Michael Gergel

Obituary for Michael Gergel (1945-2022)

Michael Gergel, age 76, of Palm, PA passed away peacefully on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Born in Swedeland, Michael was the son of the late George Gergel Sr. and the late Anna (nee Cermak) Gergel, the former husband for nearly 30 years of Patricia A. (nee Matkevich) Gergel of Phoenixville, the beloved father of Donna (Ronald) Taroski of Sebastian, FL, Eric (Kelly) Gergel, Sr. of Gilbertsville and Michael P. (Karen) of Clover, SC, the proud grandfather of Matthew, Kathrine, the late Lynn, Eric, Jr. and Avery and the adoring great-grandfather of Lily, Violet, Helen, Roland, Autumn and Logan. In addition, Michael was preceded in death by his brothers, the late George Gergel and the late John Gergel.

Michael was a graduate of Upper Merion High School, Class of 1964 and shortly after graduation enlisted in The U.S. Army. While in the Army, and stationed at Kaiserslautern Army Base, known as Camp K, Michael was known as a very detail-oriented soldier, he was a supply master who was chosen twice as soldier of the month. He also enjoyed spending time playing his guitar, and wound up playing on stage in Germany with Charlie Pride. Later in his life, at The Valley Forge Music Fair, during a performance, Charlie Pride saw Michael in the audience and called him up to the stage! Michael worked for many years as a cutter at Alan Wood Steel and later at Lukens Steel, until he retired in 2010 after being injured in an accident at the mill. Michael was also known to attend St. Joseph’s Church in Spring City, PA., his fondness for animals, especially the chickens that he raised, his huge train set at home and his being very handy with woodwork. He loved hunting and nature so much that he always wanted to be a game warden. His true happiness, though, was spending time with his beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he was so fond of.

Relatives and friends are invited to The Bernard S. Gutkowski Funeral Home, 305 Jefferson Street, Swedesburg, PA 19405, 610-275-6385, Keith J. Murphy, F.D., www.gutkowskifuneralhome.com, on Thursday, January 20, where Michael’s viewing will be held starting at 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. when his funeral service will begin. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. The family would appreciate memorial donations to Southeastern Veterans’ Center, 1 Veterans Drive, Spring City, PA 19475.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Gergel, please visit our floral store.