Goertz, Henry Arnold (1948-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Sep 1 p. 13

Birth date: 1948 Jul 23

text of obituary:

HENRY GOERTZ

Henry Arnold Goertz, 59, of Bristol, Ind., died of cancer on June 28, 2008. He was born July 23, 1948, to Ernest and Elma Goertz in Goessel, Kan.

He spent time in Zaire (Congo) doing voluntary service with Pax from 1968 to 1970. He attended and graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., where he met Alice Miller of Hanston, Kan. They were married Jan. 29, 1971.

After moving to northern Indiana, he attended Mennonite Biblical Seminary part time and worked in the public welfare departments of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. He and Alice returned to Kansas in 1980, where he attended law school at the University of Kansas. He practiced law in Dodge City, Kan., from 1984 through 2003, where they raised their family. He and Alice then returned to northern Indiana, which was in closer proximity to their adult children.

He enjoyed bicycling, doing volunteer work at Mennonite Mission Network, splitting wood for indoor heating, singing, exploring issues of faith and spending time with family and friends. A highlight in his life was a return visit to Congo in December 2006. He was a member of College Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Alice; three sons, Jeremiah of Elkhart; Marvin and his wife, Eve, of Bourbonnais, Ill., and Isaiah of Bristol; his parents, Ernest and Elma Goertz of Goessel, Kan.; five sisters, Ruth Goertz Reiselt, Emily Goertz, Dorothy Goertz, Esther Epp and Naomi Goertz Ingram; a brother, Joel Goertz; and two granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Goertz.

Memorial services were held at College Mennonite Church of Goshen.