Gary John Goetzman

  Gary John Goetzman, 82, of Charlevoix, died on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Boulder Park Terrace, Charlevoix.

  He was born on November 21, 1943, in Rochester, New York, the son of Albert F. and Helen C. (Hinds) Goetzman.

  He grew up in Rochester, New York and started his love of ham radio at an early age.  He graduated from high school in Rochester, New York and then received his bachelor degree from Central Michigan University.

  He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1969 until 1979.  He was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant.

  He met his wife, Loretta Jean Moblo in Boyne City and soon after, married her in Bellaire on April 12, 2000.  They lived in Eastport and then moved to Charlevoix in 2021.

  Gary worked as a branch manager for the Michigan Secretary of State in Bellaire and Suttons Bay.  He retired in 2002.

  He enjoyed conversing with all his friends on ham radio.  His ham radio call name was “K8FX”.  He was an outdoors and nature award-winning photographer.  He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping and antique cars.

  He was a great man, he loved all of us dearly. His whit, dedication, smirk, quiet only to observe, great provider. He will be missed.

  Gary is survived by his wife, Loretta Jean Goetzman of Charlevoix; five children, Don (Evelyn “Evie”) Snyder of Mancelona, Steven (Jeanne) Snyder of East Jordan, Dulcie Alward of Ellsworth, Sarah (Bryan) Lebedevitch of Palm Springs, California, and Sheila (Sami) Fevaleaki of Tonga; ten grandchildren, 

Tucker Alward, Layken Alward, Miranda (Ryan) Kinkaid, Jaelyn (Cody) King, Josh (Brittany) Snyder, Elena (Jerry) Warner, Christina Blenman, Kaitlyn Lebedevitch, John Lebedevitch and Elise Lebedevitch; and several great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Louis Goetzman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred and Ellen Moblo; and one son-in-law, William “Billy” Alward.

A private service will be held in the spring at Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan.  The family was served by Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan.

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