Lonnie Gillespie
Lonnie Melvin Gillespie, age 85, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025 at Sacred Heart Senior Living in Northampton, PA. Born on September 15, 1939 in North Catasauqua, he was the son of Gerald and Melba [Davis] Gillespie.
Lonnie was a 1957 graduate of Catasauqua High School where he was a three sport athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1960 until 1966. Lonnie worked as a milkman until 1966 when he was employed by Bethlehem Steel. After retiring from Bethlehem Steel in 1998, Lonnie drove a school bus for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 until 2010. He was a member of Salem United Church of Christ in Catasauqua.
Lonnie met Karen, the love of his life, at the Allentown Fair. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on March 5, 2025. After raising their children, they spent many years traveling to their favorite destinations.
An avid sportsman, Lonnie loved hunting and fishing, especially his annual fishing trips to Canada. Lonnie enjoyed sports, and followed the Catasaqua Rough Riders, attending many games with his hometown buddies. In the summer, you would often find Lonnie watching a Blue Mountain baseball game at Egypt Park or a summer league basketball game at the Catty playground. In addition to being a fan of Philly sports teams and Penn State football, Lonnie took great pride in watching his children and grandchildren in all of their sports and activities.
Every summer he planted a garden, and his favorite activity was delivering vegetables, canned tomatoes, and homemade hot mustard to friends and family. A lover of ice cream, he made pierogies and a great apple pie. There was always an open door at the home on Fourth Street, which included a warm welcome and a seat at the kitchen table.
Always ready with a smile, a joke, and a helping hand, those who knew Lonnie benefitted from his kind and generous spirit. He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Melba Gillespie. Surviving family members include his wife Karen [Reid] Gillespie, brother Gerald Gillespie, sisters Diane Martin and Marilyn Muller, daughter and son-in-law Colleen and Clint Lucas, son and daughter-in-law William and Tracy Gillespie, his five grandchildren: Hilary, Brianna, Nicholas, Patrick, and Abigail, and his five great grandchildren: Heath, Reed, Jaxson, Davis and Violet.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sacred Heart Senior Living and Family Pillars for their compassionate care.
A celebration of Lonnie’s life will be held on Sunday June 29, 2025 at Brubaker Funeral Home [234 Walnut St,] in Catasauqua, PA, with a calling hour from 10:00 to 11:30 am and a service at the Funeral Home at 11:30 am. There will be a luncheon at The Barn House Village [7401 Airport Rd] in Bath, PA following the service. Memorial contributions can be made to: Salem United Church of Christ 615 3rd Street Catasauqua, PA 18032.
Online memories and condolences for the family may be shared at www.brubakerfuneralhome.com. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua is entrusted with the arrangements.