Henry Joseph Gottberg, 88 years old, passed away peacefully on May 23rd, 2017 at his daughter's home in Franklin, MA. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio on April 29th, 1929. He was the son of the late Harry Gottberg and the late Hazel Newman Gottberg.
He grew up in Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida.
He enlisted in the army in 1948, the summer before his senior year in high school, earning his GED while in the service. He served in Germany and Sergeant Henry Gottberg was honorably discharged in 1952. He met his future wife and the love of his life, Charlotte Mead, while attending classes at Kent State. He worked as a Central Office Repairman at Ohio Bell/ Ameritech for 35 years and also raised beef cattle on a small farm in Lisbon, Ohio.
He served as an Elder and Deacon at the former Trinity Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, volunteered with the Special Olympics through the Pioneers, and loved attending Lisbon's High School football games. He and his wife loved hosting events on their farm and he gave many hayrides through the years. After their retirement they moved to Salem for 5 years and then relocated to Ft. Myers, Florida where they enjoyed 15 years with family and friends. Henry and Charlotte moved to Franklin, MA in 2010 to live with their daughter, Debra, due to their declining health.
Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Gottberg, in 2014 and his four brothers, Clifford, Lester, Robert and Earl. He is survived by his daughter, Debra, and her husband Gary of Franklin, MA, his daughter, Melanie Wagner and her husband, Randy of Willard, OH, and his son, Matthew Gottberg. He loved his grandchildren and leaves behind Marc Stiffler and his wife, Veronica, of Orlando, FL, Eric Stiffler and his wife, Kayla, of Dedham, MA, Traci Stiffler and her husband, Pat McNeal of Baldwinsville, NY, Tyler Wagner and his partner, Greg Miranda of Aurora, CO, Cory Wagner and his wife, Malenia of Sandusky, OH and Christopher Gottberg of Mt. Joy, PA. He is also survived by another granddaughter, Kelly, 2 great- grandsons and a great- granddaughter. He also leaves behind his sister-in law and her husband, Nick and Lois Popa of Blacklick, OH, brother-in-law Gary Mead and his wife, Jan of Logan OH, sister-in-law, Marina Willer of Leawood, KS, sister-in-law, Betty Gottberg of Marietta, GA and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral will be held on June 3rd, 2017 at the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church on 111 East Chestnut Street in Lisbon, Ohio at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be one hour prior to the service at the same location.
Burial will follow at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in Beloit, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Henry may be made to the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements were handled by Ginley Funeral Home in Franklin, MA and Ells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home Lisbon, OH.