Carl Gakstatter Umatilla, Florida Obituary

Carl Gakstatter

Carl E. Gakstatter Jr., 89, of Altoona, FL passed away November 1, 2019. He was born September 16, 1930 in Gibraltar, MI to Carl and Helen Shaw Gakstatter. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War and a member of the “Chosin Few”. He owned and operated the Crossroads Inn in Bay City, MI for 20+ years before retiring to Florida in 1998 and settled in Altoona in 2015. Carl found his peace restoring boats and boating as well as riding his bicycle. Carl Gakstatter was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was a proud, humble and generous man. His Christian faith touched many lives including his children. To them he set the example of hard work, determination, and integrity. He had a loveable and amazing humor. Carl was brilliant, extremely intelligent, and a true gentleman. He will be deeply missed by many. He had a great love of his family and truly enjoyed every moment he ever spent with them. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Kathryn Kane of Altoona; daughters Cheryl Potthoff of Algonac, MI and Cathy (Mark) Plec of Richmond, MI; sons Stephen (Diane) Gakstatter of Iron Mountain, MI and Eric (Karibeth) Gakstatter of Kawkawlin, MI; 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; sisters Frances Trombley of St Pete, FL and Deborah Watts of Detroit, MI; brother David Gakstatter of Armada, MI. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Theresa Irene in 2006; brother: Paul W. Gakstatter; and sister: Shirley Wiggins. A visitation will be held in the Chapel of Beyers Funeral Home, Umatilla from 4-6 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday November 5, 2019. The Mass of Catholic Burial will be Wednesday November 6, 2019 beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Eustis FL with Father Carlos Bedoya officiating, with a Committal service including Military Honors to follow at Florida National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, Cornerstone Hospice at 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL, or the Advent Health Waterman Foundation in Tavares, FL.
September 16, 1930 - November 1, 201909/16/193011/01/2019
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Obituary

Carl E. Gakstatter Jr., 89, of Altoona, FL passed away November 1, 2019. He was born September 16, 1930 in Gibraltar, MI to Carl and Helen Shaw Gakstatter. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War and a member of the “Chosin Few”. He owned and operated the Crossroads Inn in Bay City, MI for 20+ years before retiring to Florida in 1998 and settled in Altoona in 2015. Carl found his peace restoring boats and boating as well as riding his bicycle. Carl Gakstatter was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was a proud, humble and generous man. His Christian faith touched many lives including his children. To them he set the example of hard work, determination, and integrity. He had a loveable and amazing humor. Carl was brilliant, extremely intelligent, and a true gentleman. He will be deeply missed by many. He had a great love of his family and truly enjoyed every moment he ever spent with them. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Kathryn Kane of Altoona; daughters Cheryl Potthoff of Algonac, MI and Cathy (Mark) Plec of Richmond, MI; sons Stephen (Diane) Gakstatter of Iron Mountain, MI and Eric (Karibeth) Gakstatter of Kawkawlin, MI; 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; sisters Frances Trombley of St Pete, FL and Deborah Watts of Detroit, MI; brother David Gakstatter of Armada, MI. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Theresa Irene in 2006; brother: Paul W. Gakstatter; and sister: Shirley Wiggins. A visitation will be held in the Chapel of Beyers Funeral Home, Umatilla from 4-6 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday November 5, 2019. The Mass of Catholic Burial will be Wednesday November 6, 2019 beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Eustis FL with Father Carlos Bedoya officiating, with a Committal service including Military Honors to follow at Florida National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, Cornerstone Hospice at 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL, or the Advent Health Waterman Foundation in Tavares, FL.

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Events

Nov
05
Visitation
Tuesday, November 05 2019
04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Beyers Funeral Home - Umatilla
279 S Central Ave
UMATILLA, FL 32784
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Nov
06
Service
Wednesday, November 06 2019
10:00 AM
St. Mary of the Lakes
218 Ocklawaha Ave
Eustis, FL 32726
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