Roger Herman Goetz

Roger H. Goetz, Sr. 91, Ozark, Missouri, passed away at 1:00 a.m. Monday, September 29, 2025 in his home.

He was born at home on September 21, 1934 at their farm near Swea City, Iowa to Herman and Sylvia (Balvance) Goetz. He started school in Swea City, Iowa, and in 3rd grade his parents moved to Ledyard, Iowa where he attended Ledyard Consolidated School, graduating with class of 1953

Roger met the love of his life, Carolyn Johnson, while attending E & R Church at Ledyard. Roger was always interested in Carolyn and was determined he was going to marry her. After dating for about a year, they were married on February 28, 1955 and celebrated their 70th Anniversary earlier this year.

Roger was a Veteran, enlisting in 1954 in the U.S. Army. He spent most of his service time at Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama in the Chemical Corps until his honorable discharge in 1956. After Roger left the Army, he moved back to northern Iowa, where he farmed and drove truck for 6 years. After he quit farming, he continued to drive trucks and worked in construction until he met his future business partner, Bob Davis. In 1965 they bought a small auto salvage business and built up a successful business, B & R Auto Salvage south of Mankato, Minnesota. He sold his share of the business in 1977 and in 1978 bought the Lakeway Travel Mart in Reeds Spring, Missouri. Roger and Carolyn built up that business and in 1980, he sold that business and became a Postal Star Route Contractor for the US Postal Service. He drove, managed, and maintained his trucks for 25 years when he retired. Never one to sit around, he continued to drive Mail Truck until he was forced to retire in 2019 because of his age. He was an excellent mechanic and enjoyed the challenge of working on his own vehicles. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and talking to friends and family on the telephone. Thank goodness for unlimited minutes. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Goetz; sister, Janis Bratton; brothers-in-law, Harley Paschke, Herbert Beenken, and Arthur Wirtjes; sisters-in-law, Marvella Beenken and Doretta Wirtjes; and niece, Kristen Goetz.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Goetz; his children, Roger Goetz, Jr., Caron (Greg) Wagner; 4 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Greg) Adamson, Carlie Wagner (Bill Warholic), Catie Salesky, and Alexander (Nikki) Goetz; 6 Great Grandchildren; Gracee, Charlee, and Sophee Salesky, Emma and Brayden Goetz, and Teagan Adamson; sister, Doris Paschke; and a host of extended family and many friends.

Memorial services will be at 12:00 noon Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home: 500 E. Walnut Street Springfield, with Roger Goetz, Jr., officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour before the service starting at 11:00 am. Committal service with military honors will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery: 5201 S. Southwood Road Springfield, at 2:00 pm. Monday, November 3rd, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to charity of your choice.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.