Earl Charles Goetz passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in the care of his wife Joyce, his girls, close friends and Hospice of Lenawee.
Earl was born on July 19, 1922, which was also his mother’s birthday. He was known to say “he was the only birthday gift his mother couldn’t return”. Earl was born to Charles G. and Elfrieda (Tobian) Goetz at home in Monroe, Michigan, both of whom preceded him in death along with his brother Richard and his only son Todd Earl Goetz.
Surviving him are his loving wife of 68 years, Rena Joyce (Service) Goetz, his two daughters; Jill Kiesow of Riga, Mich., and Paula Aspacher (Jeff) of Franklin, TN.; 5 grandchildren; Kate Dewick (David), Green Bay, WI, Lynn Edmunds (Mark) of Wind Point WI, Charlie Goetz of Vernon, NY, Earlene Mest (Dan) of Strykersville, NY, Valerie Aspacher of Houston, TX, and Garrett Aspacher of Denver, CO. Great grandchildren: Connor and Ashlyn Dewick, Addeline and William Edmunds, and Levi Mest. He is also survived by his two brothers; William and Wendell Goetz and many nieces, nephews and his friends’ children who all loved their Uncle Earl.
Earl graduated from Blissfield High School and then began full time farming in Riga Township. He was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riga. He was also an avid Blissfield Royals fan enjoying many games at the school and listening on his trusty transistor radio. He also loved the Detroit Tigers and college sports! He was a happy man when he was able to have a radio on his tractor so he could listen to sports while he worked.
Earl served on several boards over the years including; Rural Electric Membership Corp., Blissfield Co-op, St. John’s Lutheran and Killarney Lutheran Camp. As a dedicated Kiwanian, Earl served as President, Secretary and had Perfect Attendance at meetings for 39 years. He was awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship Award from Kiwanis International in 1996. Earl and his smiling face could be seen all over the area selling tickets for any event Kiwanis was supporting.
The Goetz family would like to thank his caregivers; Diana, Charlene, Dawn, Leslie, Rachel and Sanya for their faithfulness and loving care of Earl during his final months, and to Jon and Leann Mattek and Karson Edgar for ALWAYS being available when the phone rang.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8pm, Thursday, March 10 at Tagsold Chapel of Wagley Funeral Home in Blissfield. Services will be Friday, March 11 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Riga with internment immediately after. Pastor James Seelow will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hospice of Lenawee, Riga Fire Department, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.