Donald Goetz

Donald “Don” Howard Goetz, 78, of Stevensville, MI died peacefully Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center after a short battle with a respiratory illness. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty J. (Hahn) Goetz, his son Kent Goetz of Ithaca, NY, daughter Robin Wharton of Bridgman, sisters, Joyce Deardorff of Indianapolis, IN and Georgia Forsyth of Whitmore Lake, MI., granddaughters, Skyler A. Goetz, Kyra J. Goetz, and Sage Noonan, and the family of foster son, Douglas Mulhern including foster granddaughter, Jennifer Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his son, David J. Goetz in 1999; a daughter-in-law Martha Dewey in 2009 and a brother Robert Goetz in 1942. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Don attended Purdue University and received a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineer in 1959. He joined the Whirlpool Corporation in 1961, serving in a variety of positions until his retirement in 1991 as the Director of Real Estate. Early in his career Don was an active member of the Bridgman Jaycees, the Bridgman School Board, for which he also served as President, and the Stevensville Lions Club. In retirement Don sold real estate for many years with Meredith & Kamp. A strong community servant to the end, Don was an active member of the Lakeshore International Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a founding member of the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation and continued to serve as an advocate for the Lakeshore School District. In his spare time Don also served lovingly as the not-always-silent partner and general go-to-guy for the BJ Goetz Art Studio. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Bob Confer with burial at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Lakeshore Rotary Pure Water Project or the education fund for his granddaughters. Friends wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com .