John J. Gutwald, 79, of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday evening at his residence.

Husband of Mary Jane (Byers) Gutwald, married 58 years this July. Born in Altoona, PA, he was the son of the late Clement P. Gutwald and the late Elizabeth Meyer Hartman.

A member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church for 20 years, John served on the parish council, was a choir member, and lector. He was a catechist at St. John Neumann's, St. Mark's, Fallston, MD, and Holy Family in Virginia.

John enjoyed playing the piano and singing, and was a founding father of one of the first HMOs in the state of Maryland, Care First.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics, cum laude.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Mary Kay McKenna of Ardmore, PA; Elizabeth married to Mark Bystry of Fairfield, CT; Susan married to Gilbert Jones of Joppa, MD; Margie married to Rogelio Uriostegui of Shiller Park, IL; Bernard Gutwald of Lancaster; John Jr. married to Katie Gutwald of Clarksville, MD; David married to Karen Gutwald of Huntingtown, MD; and Peter married to Aileen Gutwald of Fallston, MD; 18 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and his sister, Mary Margaret married to Richard Klesius of Altoona. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Francis Smith, his sisters Clara and Catherine, and his brother, Charles Francis Gutwald.

Friends will be received on Tuesday at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 from 10-11AM, with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM, the Msgr. Richard Youtz as Celebrant. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary, 1834 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or to the Parish Health Ministry of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, Lititz 560-5100. To send an online condolence, please visit snyderfuneralhome.com