Mathias F. “Matt” Gutman, 99, CPO, USNR (retired) of Phoebe Terrace, Allentown, formerly of Macungie, died peacefully Nov. 7, 2024, at his home.

Born Jan. 26, 1925, in Allentown, he was a son of the late Mathias A. and Veronica (Gombocz) Gutman.

He was the beloved husband of the late Bernadine (Kleinsorge) Gutman and Arlene M. (Hess) Gutman, who died Oct. 29, 2011.

An Allentown High School graduate, he enlisted in the Navy in 1943, served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater aboard (LST 553) Landing Ship Tank and was the recipient of six campaign battle stars.

LST 553 made six invasions in the Pacific Islands, Peleliu, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, Subic Bay and Okinawa.

Employed at Mack Trucks Inc., he was on the fire line doing gold leaf lettering and striping on fire trucks.

Before that, he was an insurance agent with Mutual of Omaha and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

He was a member of both Lehigh County and Lower Macungie historical societies and United Auto Workers, Local 677, as chief shop steward, board member and delegate.

He was also a member and past president of the Mack Truck Retirees Organization.

Proud of his service to his country, he always flew the American flag.

He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve as an instructor and recruiter until retiring as chief petty officer in 1973.

He was one of the founders and charter life member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Navy Enlisted Reserve Association, in 1975, and served as its first president and as national executive counselor.

He was a member of the Sampson WWII Navy Veterans, Pennsylvania LST Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Honorary First Defenders of Allentown and Bethlehem/Easton Chapters, Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Round Table, American Legion and VFW Post 12099.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.

His survivors include children John Gutman (Kathy) of Allentown, Michael Gutman (Linda), Carol Long (Tom), Mary Conroy (Jim), and Paul Gutman (Patti), all of Florida; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; stepsons William Bleiler (Catherine) of Allentown, Michael Bleiler (Cheryl) of Orefield, Dean Bleiler (A.J.) of Allentown; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his son, David; sisters Veronica Silvoy and Christina Ridge; and brothers Edmund, Louis, Joseph and Francis Gutman.

His memorial service will be 11 a.m. Nov. 14 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 W. Tilghman St., Allentown.

The Rev. Kathryn E. Foster will officiate.

Family and friends may pay their respects 10-11 a.m. before the service.

Interment with military honors will be at Cedar Union Cemetery, (Cetronia), South Whitehall.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at dav.org or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) at vfw.org. or The First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, all c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.