Stephen M. “Steve” Gerstman was born January 9, 1947, in Ft. Myers Florida and went to heaven to join our Lord on February 14, 2024. He passed away at home with his wife.

Steve made great accomplishments in his lifetime. He was brought up in LaBelle Florida, graduated from LaBelle High School in 1966, started college, but then enlisted in the Marine Corp-Vietnam war where he served. Steve went through boot camp and through advanced infantry training in Camp Lejeune, then to Camp Pendleton for more training as a forward observer, a communicator calling in artillery as well as other training. From there he went to Hawaii with his fellow Marines and worked on his marksman skills on the fi ring range with iron sights. Steve outshot all the men except for one who outshot him by 2 points.

Steve achieved to CPL in the Marines Corp serving in Vietnam where he sustained mortar shrapnel to the back of his head, back, and hand. Steve would speak about how he was left for dead, but once he got his bearing back because of the head wound, he crawled back for help not realizing how badly he was hurt.

After his honorable discharge from the Marines, he continued his education with the United Telephone AC+DC certifi cate, then on to I.B.E.W for a 4-year Apprenticeship, Cross Trained in Underground 2 years, Distribution and Transmission, Avid Operator of all Heavy equipment, Instructor fi rst Aid, CPR and Pole Top Rescue, and S&C Circuit Switch in Chica-go. He worked his way up the ladder where he retired Director of Operations of Glades Electric Cooperative in 1996 and started Ger-stman’s Tree service and heavy equipment where he retired in 2009.

Stephen will be missed. He never met a stranger. In his younger years he was an avid game hunter. He loved his family, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of all Stephen loved Jesus with his heart; he served as a Gideon as well.

In addition to his parents, Willie Gerstman and Lora Mae Cross Gerstman, Steve was preceded in death by a brother, Mancel Gerstman. He is survived by his wife of over 26 years, Joyce Gerstman, of Marble; son, Stephen Michael Gerstman, Jr., of Judith Gap, MT; daughters, Nicole Swan (Chris), of Colorado Springs, CO, Quincy Diane Queen, of Andrews, NC; sisters, Sherry Wood, of Lightfoot, VA, Sheila Sheltra, of LaBelle, FL; grandchildren, Justin Gerstman (Christina), Kyle Pierce (Melissa), Morgan Baddeley (Thomas), Elliot Pierce (Sydney); great-grandchildren, Lilly Wirka, Norah Pierce, Winston Pierce, Luna Pierce; several step-great-grandchil-dren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Graveside funeral services with military honors will be held Friday, February 23, 11:30 AM at Ortona Cemetery in Moore Haven, FL. Pastor Bill Maddox officiating.
The family will receive friends 11:00-11:30 AM at the cemetery prior to the service.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home, Murphy, in charge of local arrangements.
Akin-Davis Funeral Home, LaBelle, FL, in charge of burial arrange-ments.