Willis Goettel

Willis Floyd Goettel died Sunday, May 27, 2012. He was 86 years old. A veteran of WWII he entered the ministry and served as a minister in the Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist Churches for 45 years. His parishes included Mead, Niwot, Yuma and Simla, Colorado before coming to the Pueblo area. There he served Bethel, Beulah, Fowler, Vineland and Adriance United Methodist Churches.

Actively involved in the community Rev. Goettel served with the Pueblo Interfaith Association, Kiwanis, Lions and both the Beulah and Pueblo Historical Societies. He also was an important part of the Colorado Ashram Spiritual Retreat movement. Cropwalk, Pueblo Runners Club and the Senior Olympics were also active interests.

Willis married his loving partner and wife Winnie in 1947. He is survived by his wife, Winifred L. Goettel of the Bruce McCandless Veterans Home in Florence, CO; four sons: Gary (DeEtta) Goettel of Ordway, CO; Andy (Susie) Goettel of Meeker, CO; Tim (Susan) Goettel and Eric (Jackie) Goettel , both of Pueblo West, CO; two daughters: Suzanne (James) Favier of Colorado Springs, CO and Amy (Brent) Haar of Beulah, CO. He loved and was proud to have nine grandchildren, Jenna (Eric) Janik, Lessa (Ryan) Trosper, Laura (Shaun) Gonzales, Haylee Goettel, Jarrod (Laura) Haar, Kelsey Goettel and David Scutti, Gabie Goettel, Garrett Goettel, and Aaron Goettel; and seven great-grandchildren; Sister, Nancy (Jack) Perkins, Thousand Oaks, CA; Inlaws, Richard & June Brown of San Antonio, TX; Ted and Izetta Shonts; Stan and Leah Shonts; and Lillian Shonts, all of Colorado Springs, CO; many nephews and nieces. Willis was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Goettel and his mother, Lydia Schwen Goettel-Gisi; and by in-laws, Beth Shonts, Carl and Virginia Wertz and Ray Shonts.

Funeral Service 10am Friday at Imperial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment, Beulah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Beulah Historical Society or the Beulah United Methodist Church. Arrangements, Imperial Funeral Home.