Nicholas James “Jim” Goetzinger, 86, of South Bend passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 in Brentwood at Niles in Niles.

Jim was born June 7, 1923 in Mishawaka to Nicholas J. and Nettie May (Davis) Goetzinger. He retired in 1989 from Westinghouse-Frigidaire as a sales manager and was previous employed with McCaffrey for 21 years.

Jim graduated from Galien High School in Galien and served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps as a gunner in the South Pacific. He was a member of the American Legion.

On Dec. 17, 1942, Jim married Jane Sticklett, who preceded him in death Jan. 18, 2004.
Surviving are his children, Eric (Sheila) Goetzinger of Schoolcraft, Mich., Kathy (Larry) Williams of Cassopolis, Susan (Bill Tennert) Goetzinger of Riverside, Ill.; grandchildren, Stephen (Renee) Goetzinger, Nicholas Goetzinger, Shelly (Jason) Claunch, Brooke Tennert, Brian Tennert and Tracy (Ron) Snyder; great-grandchildren, Ron Snyder Jr., Elicia Snyder, Jennifer Snyder, Graeson Claunch, Evan Goetzinger and Emma Goetzinger; and great-great-grandchildren, Hailey and Ryleigh Hunsberger.

Sisters Mary Stark and Ruth McHenry preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2009 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2009 at Kaniewski Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 6100 West 96th St., Ste. 200, Indianapolis, IN 46278. TO send condolences online, please visit kaniewski.com.