"Dear Friends, Jackie played a very important part in our life and the life of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Ann worked with Jackie at Churubusco, and grew to love her even more there. We had heard Jackie & Chick sing. For a season Jackie was the choir director at Trinity Church. She brought a love for the Lord and for music to us. Of all of the memories we have to take forward, Jackies steady love for Russell, all of you children, and most of all the Lord, these will never dim. It is important to remember that someone is not lost when we KNOW ehere they are - Jackie is in heaven with our Lord, Russell and all the saints who from their labors rest."
In loving memory of
JACQUELINE JUNE GOTZ
June 29, 1929 - October 30, 2008
Jacqueline June "Jackie" Gotz, age 79, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, IN where she moved when her health failed a couple years ago. Born on June 29, 1929 in West Frankfort, Franklin County, IL she was the daughter of Joseph S. and Theresa Verna (Frick) Spires.During her childhood, she moved from West Frankfort, Illinois to Pontiac, Michigan and graduated from Pontiac Senior High School with the Class of 1947. She attended Pacific Bible College, Portland, OR through her junior year, transferring to Phillips University, Enid OK. On August 23, 1952, she married Reverend Russel B. Gotz, at the Sellwood Park Church of God, Portland, OR. While living in Enid, OK, her husband served as student pastor of a small church in West Liberty and she gave birth to 2 children, Jon Robert in 1953 and Teresa Jean in 1957. In 1955, she earned her Religious Education and Bible degree. She and her family moved to Anderson, IN in September of 1956, where Pastor Gotz served as an assistant pastor at a Church of God. In 1958, they moved to Fort Wayne, IN where Pastor Gotz served as Assistant Pastor at Forest Park Methodist Church. In 1960, their third child, Michele Jane, was born and the Gotz family moved to Whitley County, IN. Mrs. Gotz had resided at her present Thorncreek Township home since the summer of 1972. Pastor and Mrs. Gotz served a circuit of churches including Etna, Oak Grove and Troy Methodist (later United Methodist) churches from 1960-1968. She served as a substitute teacher for 3 years and as a full time teacher for 6 years at Etna-Troy School prior to teaching and retiring from the Smith-Green School Corporation, Churubusco, IN where she served for 22 years. In addition to her passion for teaching, she loved the Lord, her family and friends, music and nature. A member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church, she was a member of the choir, the contemporary choir, United Methodist Women, Committee Member for both the Memorial Fund and the Education Fund of the church. She also served 2 different times as the Christian Education Director of the church. She served at one time as the Choral Director of Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Troy United Methodist Church and the Columbia City Community Choir. She was a member of the Sigma Eta Sorority, Board Member of the Whitley County Senior Citizens and Friends of the Library. She also served as the Chairperson for the Negotiating Committee for the Smith Green School Corporation. She was a member of the Whitley County and Indiana Retired Teachers Association and served on the Indiana Retired Teachers Association Membership Concerns Committee. She also served as a Whitley County 4-H Leader and Cub Scout Leader.Survivors include her 1 son, Jon Robert Gotz of Columbia City, IN; 2 daughters, Teresa Jean Gotz of Columbia City, IN and Michele (Gary) Gotz-Wolff, Wichita, KS; 2 granddaughters, Theresa June and Larisa Lea Wolff both of Wichita, KS; 10 brothers and sisters, Joseph S. Spires of Slidell, LA; John P. (Lois) Spires of Monroe, LA; Jerald V. (Betty) Spires of Vancouver, WA; Johannah Jeanne (Roland) Spires-Darnell of Big Sandy, TN; Jason J. (Carol) Spires of Anderson, IN; Jeffrey L. (Susan) Spires of Waterford, MI; Julian J. (Patty) Spires of Troutdale, OR; Janet E. (Billy) Spires-Noble of Cedaredge, CO; Janella J. (Eyvind)Spires-Hammersmark of Seattle, WA and Josiah J. Spires of Pontiac, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Reverend Russel B. Gotz, who passed away on June 18, 1997 and brother, James V. Spires.Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. with 1 hour of calling prior to service at Columbia City United Methodist Church, 605 Forest Parkway, Columbia City, IN on Monday, November 10, 2008 with Pastor Paul Arnold officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Annex Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Gotz to Columbia City United Methodist Church Education, Choir or Kitchen Funds, Whitley County Habitat for Humanity, Help Line of Whitley County or Peabody Library Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send condolences or sign the register book, please log on to www.demoneygrimes.comClick here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.
Tributes
"To the family of Mrs. Gotz -I was a student at Churubusco Elementry school back in the 1970's.Mrs. Gotz was one of my 4th grade teachers. She was one of my favorite teachers. I learned a lot from her. I was very sorry to here about her passing. She was a nice lady, and she touched many lives through her teaching. Sincerely, Leslie Wegman"
"With deepest sympathy , May you find peace in the coming days as you remember the past. Randy"
"I only met Mrs. Gotz one time about 3 or 4 years ago. Her love in the God through her wonderful singing inpressed me a lot. Jon, you and your family will be in our thoughts!"
"Having known your Mother, by helping care for her at Peabody, I felt so blessed to have known her. She was so dear to me. I will always think of her when I hear the song"His Eye is on the Sparrow",she and I sang that together many times, and I was the one being blessed by her and her love for the Lord. And oh how she loved all of you. She would also recite all the names of her siblings, and I was so amazed at all the J's! I am one of eight, and so we talked many times of being part of a big family. My prayers go out to all of you at this time, but oh how I rejoice to know she's finally home. Your friend, Colleen"
"I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I so enjoyed having her as a music teacher @ Etna-Troy School. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"We will never forgot what a good neighbor and friend she was to us. She will always be in our hearts."
"Jon and family,My heart and prayers go out to you all. I hope you find comfort in the knowledge that your mom is finally at peace.Sincerely,Emily Romine"
"What great memories we have of Jackie during your Oak Grove years. She was always the smiling fun person beside your dad. Your entire family came to visit us in South Whitley shortly after we moved there bearing freshly baked cinnamon rolls made by your mom. She always knew just the right thing to do and say. What a lovely person and what a blessing she brought to all who knew her. Your mom was indeed someone to be proud of!! What a joy to have been part of her life."
"To the Entire Gotz Family;May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "