Leo Raymond Witczak, 98, a longtime resident of Fullerton, Whitehall Township, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Oct. 27, 2023, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He and his late wife, Catherine (Turbedsky) Witczak, were devotedly married 66 years at the time of her death in 2017.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Joseph and Victoria (Czyzewska) Witczak.

He was a lifelong member and longtime Lector of Ss. Peter and Paul Polish Catholic Church, Allentown.

He grew up on the East Side of Allentown and attended Our Lady Help of Christians Grade School, Allentown Catholic High School, and ultimately graduated from Allentown High School Class of 1943.

At age 18, immediately after high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 18 months during WWII in the European Theater of Operations.

He served in both the 787th Military Police Battalion and the 75th Combat Infantry Division.

During this time, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and various letters of commendation including one from Secretary of War Henry Stimson. He was also a certified sharpshooter despite being legally blind in one eye since childhood.

After military service, he attended Lehigh University studying electrical engineering on the G.I. Bill.

He spent his electrical engineering career at various Lehigh Valley industries including PPL, Fuller Company, Riegel Paper Corporation and ultimately went on to retire from Allen Products as their chief electrical engineer.

Survivors include his daughter Dr. Loretta Witczak Keil and her husband, Bruce, of Allentown; sons Jesse of Maryland and Joseph and his wife, Charlene, of Washington; grandchildren Bonni Taylor (Sache), Deanna Keil (Adrian), Garrett Witczak, Alyssa Bistline (Chris), Lynea Oldfather (William), Michael Nelson, Devon Witczak, and Christopher Witczak; great-grandchildren Ryder, Leo, Kai, and the soon-to-arrive blessing of Cole; sister-in-law Betty Turbedsky and her children Paul and Michelle; and beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his nine older siblings; grandson-in-law Daniel Carik, and daughter-in-law Pamela Witczak.

His viewing will be 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2 in Gilbert Funeral Home, 444 Pershing Blvd Whitehall, PA 18052,

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. by Rev. Father Stanley Moczydlowski in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, across from the funeral home.

His interment with military honors will follow in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Northampton.

Contributions may be made to Sights for Hope, 845 W. Wyoming St., Allentown, PA 18103 or at SightsForHope.org or to a charity of one’s choice.