Archie Lee Gerstenberger passed away and went to be with the Lord on September 5, 2024 at the age of 89. Cremation has occurred and a private ceremony will be scheduled at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan where his remains will be laid to rest.

Archie was born on August 19, 1935, in Independence Iowa. His parents were Anthony and Vernetta (McLeish) Gerstenberger. He worked on the family farm milking cows, raising hogs, and growing cash crops before entering the U.S. Army on November 16, 1954.

Archie married Roberta Wagner in Oelwein, Iowa on October 21, 1956. She later joined him in Nuremburg, Germany in March 1957 where they lived until his honorable discharge on October 16, 1957. After a brief employment with General Motors’ Ypsilanti Transmission plant, he started A.L.G. Concrete Step company. He owned and operated the business in Flint, MI for 52 years – retired January 2017. “Arch” as his friends and employees called him built a reputation for being honest and for his good workmanship – you can still find homes with the steps and railings he installed in some of the older parts of Flint and Burton. Archie also demonstrated a belief in redemption by giving many convicts a second chance by hiring them when they got out of jail.

Outside of work, he and his wife enjoyed landscaping around their home. He attended Colonial Hills Baptist Church with his wife and children. Archie’s other outside of work activities included snowmobiling, deer hunting, antiquing, and was a member in a few social clubs. He was a member of the Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons where he rose through the chairs of the Vienna 0205 to the level of “Worshipful Master” and he is a past President of the Clio Jaycees. While known to be a gentle, quiet, and reserved man he was “Harry” the Clown in the Shriners (Elf Khurafeh Shrine).

Surviving Archie is his beloved wife of almost 68 years Roberta Ann Gerstenberger. Children: Jeff (Kay) Gerstenberger, Scott Gerstenberger, and Craig (Serina) Gerstenberger. Grandchildren: Justin Gerstenberger (Allison Hogan), Amy Voiles [Gerstenberger] (Michael Voiles), Gavin (Alizay O’Connell) Gerstenberger, Brennan (Leanna) Gerstenberger, Jacob Gerstenberger
Great Grandchildren: Nicholas and Noah Voiles, Ford and Jack Gerstenberger, Solara Gerstenberger, and Delilah Gerstenberger
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Preceded in death by parents Anthony and Vernetta and 2 younger sisters Delila Woodward and JoAnn Sadler.

Archie’s obituary was written by his loving family.