Sterling E. Bechtel

Sterling E. Bechtel, “Sterl,” 87, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 26, 2026, in Annville, PA. Sterl was born on December 5, 1938, in Annville. He was the son of the late Lewis and Emily (Immel) Bechtel. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly Dianne Bechtel, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage since April 6, 2001, in addition to 17 years of dating.

A veteran, Sterl proudly and honorably served in the United States Army during the Berlin Wall Crisis in Germany in the early 1960s. Following his military service, Sterl became an active member of his local American Legion and worked for The Hershey Company for more than 40 years. And he was an avid member of the original Candytown Motorcycle Club. After retiring from Hershey, Sterl spent many enjoyable years driving vehicles for Frederick Chevrolet. He was dedicated, strong-willed, and hardworking in everything he pursued.

Those who knew Sterl knew how much he loved the outdoors, especially riding his 1961 Matchless motorcycle, taking his 1957 Ford Fairlane Convertible out for a drive, or cruising in his Dodge pickup truck. He enjoyed attending car shows, visiting antique stores, going to carnivals, attending annual family reunions, spending holidays with loved ones, and relaxing at his summer home near Raystown Lake, where he loved to hunt and fish. 

Above all, Sterl loved his family deeply. He cherished his large family and close friends and treasured every moment spent with the children in his life, as he was truly a kid at heart himself. He always lived life to the fullest. Sterl filled Bechtel family reunions with love, laughter, and his warm smile. He had a special gift for making everyone feel like part of the family and well-loved from the moment they met him. 

Sterl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and great-uncle, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his wife, Dianne, he is survived by his son, Jesse Bechtel and wife Melissa; stepson, Jason Cassel and wife Kimberly; grandson, Michael Cassel and wife Enjoli; granddaughters, Donna, Maiya, Kim, and Lyric; and great-granddaughters, Natalia and Paris. He is also survived by two nephews, Jeff Bechtel (and children Matthew and Meghan) and Kenneth Bechtel; and four nieces, Debra Neidinger, Brenda Kulp (and sons Jarrod and Derrick), Michelle Wolf (and children Brandon, Heather, and Megan), and Bonnie Bechtel. 

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert (wife, Miriam), Leroy, Norman, Lewis Jr., and James Bechtel (wife, Shirley); his sisters, Edith Gordon (husband, Harry), and Pearl Frantz; and his niece, Susan Gordon.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10AM at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078 with Pastor Jim Anderman officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Grandview Memorial Park, Annville, PA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to view at the funeral home on from 9AM until the start of the service.