Obituary of Wayne Gerstenacker

Wayne Francis Gerstenacker, 79, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024 at Spartanburg Medical Center. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He was the husband of Raelynn Brandenburg Gerstenacker and son of the late Frank Gerstenacker and Mary Swiecinski Gerstenacker. He was a retired self-employed contractor and a member of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold Township. He was a true cowboy in his heart and soul for all of his 79 years. As a teen he would ride his horse along Route 18. He loved hunting, fishing, and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Raelynn Gerstenacker; son, Erik Gerstenacker (Devonne) of Gaffney, SC; two daughters, Lauren Jablonski (James) of Wellington, FL; and Tara Gerstenacker of Jackson, NJ; a stepdaughter, Colleen Kudela (Michael) of Weddington, NC; a brother-in-law, Dudley Tighe of East Brunswick, NJ; thirteen grandchildren, Adrienne Moore, Jared, Karsyn & Eden Jablonski, Chelsea Lack, Gunther, Thadeus & Quinton Gerstenacker, Amelia, Caroline & Katie Kudela and Mia Campbell; one great-grandchild Ava Moore; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Tori Gerstenacker; stepson, Kenny Campbell; and his sister, Frances Tighe.

Full moons, sitting in a tree stand, operating a bull dozer, horses and cowboys, deep sea fishing trips, weekends fishing on Island Beach, eating seafood at the shore, friends and family all enlivened Wayne’s heart, and those memories will forever live in our hearts and thoughts. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine on Monday, January 29th, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Burial Park & Mausoleum, 840 Cranbury South River Road, East Brunswick. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to The NRA Foundation, Attn: Finance, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.