Dr. Donald Franklin Goetsch

Dr. Donald Franklin Goetsch, passed peacefully into heaven on Tuesday, Feb 20.  At 94, he was still active until six days before his death.  His children, Sherree Goetsch Funk (Jim); Stephen Goetsch (Haruka); and Scott Goetsch (Leslie) were at his side when he died.  Grandchildren Allyson Lorraine Funk Baker (Brad), Anderson James William Funk, Anne Jacqueline Funk, Emily Baldwin Goetsch Spray (John), Benjamin Donald Goetsch (Eugenia), Samuel Shuki Goetsch (Stephanie), Miki Kathleen Goetsch, and Calvin Maiki Goetsch will miss him.  His brothers, Elmer, Walter, and Clarence Goetsch and his wife, Joyce Lorraine Anderson Goetsch, preceded him in death. 

Born in the farmhouse on the Goetsch family dairy farm in Wisconsin in 1923, he survived whooping cough before he was a year old.  After graduating from Oconomowoc High School in 1941, he went on to graduate from Iowa State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  During the war he was in the Army Specialized Training Program while attending school, and then in the Veterinary Corps Ready Reserve until discharged as a Captain in 1956.  

While working in private veterinary practice in Buffalo, Minnesota, he met his true love, Joyce.  They were married in December of 1949, together for almost 60 years before her death.  In 1956 they moved to southern California and raised a family in Chatsworth. Don worked for, and later bought, Dr. Green Dog and Cat Hospital in Los Angeles.  He retired to Paso Robles, California in 1988 after selling the practice in L.A.  

After 14 years in Paso Robles, Don and Joyce moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to be near their daughter, Sherree.  Don lived nearly eight years at Masonic Village of Sewickley after Joyce passed away. 

He was a member in good standing of Al Malaikah Shrine (over 30 years), Blue Lodge in St. Cloud, Minnesota (over 50 years), the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Legion, and Ingomar United Methodist Church.  

Don loved the Sewickley Memorial Day parade, proudly donning his World War II Veteran cap and saluting every flag as it went by.  He had a remarkable memory and was sharp until the very end.  He loved attending church as often as he could get a ride. Everyone who knew him loved him and he will be sorely missed. 

A memorial service will be held at Ingomar United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11am.   He will be buried with his wife in River Road Cemetery, Ixonia, Wisconsin.  Memorials gifts made either to Ingomar UMC (1501 W. Ingomar Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237) or to World Vision Water, (www.worldvision.org/our-work/clean-water) would be greatly appreciated.  Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc., 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.