Gordon H. Goetzl

Gordon H. Goetzl, 89, of Clinton, passed away, Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Mercy Living Center South – Clinton. A Funeral Mass will be 10:30am, Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the Clinton AMVETS. Serving as pallbearers will be his sons: Richard Goetzl, Kevin Goetzl, David Goetzl, grandsons: Derek Goetzl, and Ryan Goetzl and his son-in-law: Kent Kolwey. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00-5:00pm at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Gordon Henry Goetzl was born on October 29, 1926 in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, the son of Marie Elizabeth Peters and Roy Joseph Goetzl. He attended Shell Lake Grade School and graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1944. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Army in September 1944 and spent the first year in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and then a year of Occupation Duty in Japan. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal in November 1946 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. In 1947, he attended both Superior State Teachers College and the University of Wisconsin. He moved to Clinton in 1949 where he worked at EI DuPont for 3 years. He married Mary Josephine Ryan on August 4, 1951 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester, Iowa; she died September 27, 2012. From 1954-1975 he was the owner of Gordy’s Standard Service Station and then worked at Chemplex Company from 1975 until retiring in 1989. Gordy was a member of Prince of Peace Parish and served on the Sacred Heart School Board and Parish Council. He was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus #707, and also an honorary member of AMVETS Post #28. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, traveling, and especially spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by three sons: Richard M. (Donna) Goetzl of Milan, IL Kevin J. Goetzl of Urbandale, IA, David P. Goetzl of Clinton, IA; two daughters: Cheryl A. (Kent) Kolwey of Davenport, IA, and Barbara M. Rehder of Lisbon, IA; seven grandchildren: Derek (Amanda) Goetzl, Ryan (Nicole) Goetzl, Alyson (Corey) Moen, Bree Rehder, Serena Goetzl, Megan Goetzl, and Kyton Rehder; a step-great-grandson; one sister: Patricia Panyk of Racine, Wisconsin and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife: Mary, his son; Gregg, and two brothers: Donald and Duane, brother-in-law: Eugene; and daughter-in-laws: Sherry and Kathy. Memorials can be made to the Prince of Peace Building Fund or the Kathy Goetzl Nursing Scholarship Fund.

Gordon H. Goetzl

October 29, 1926 - September 1, 2016