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FUNERAL HOME

Burns Funeral Home & Crematory - Crown Point

10101 Broadway

Crown Point, Indiana

Don Gootee Obituary

Don F. Gootee Florida / Whiting, IN Don F. Gootee of Ft. Myers, Florida. Born October 13, 1940 to the late Delbert and Minnie Bell Gootee. Remaining behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Joyce Ann (Houck) Gootee; daughter, Allison Elizabeth (Dennis) Duffy of Chicago, IL; son, Geoffrey Randall "Randy" (fiance Melissa) Gootee of Highland; daughter, Lesley Catherine "Susie" (Billy) Bell of Indianapolis; grandchildren, William Jacob (Tabatha), Lucas, Kallindra and Katherine Smaluk, Addison and Eli Bell; great-grandchildren, Tara and Elizabeth Smaluk; siblings, Amy Pieper of Texas, Adele Wartman of Illinois, William Delbert (Pat) Gootee of Tennessee, Jim (Ann) Gootee of Illinois, Clarence (Carla) Gootee of California, Maggie (Herb) Welk of Tennessee, Betty Held of Tennessee, Barbara Cook of Tennessee, Sharon Pine of Indiana and Becky Pemberton of Indiana. Many nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patsy and brothers, Danny and Bobby. Don began his lifelong career in the grocery business as a bagger and purchased the former Park View Supermarket d/b/a Sterk's Super Foods in Whiting, Indiana as co-owner in 1984. After 17 years of flourishing business, he sold his interest in the store to Strack and Van Til and retired. Don always recognized the success the store had was due to the loyal and dedicated longtime employees and customers. Don was very active in many organizations. He was past president of Whiting Kiwanis Club, past president and director of the Whiting Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, past director of Crisis Center Silent Auction and Fundraiser, Member of Hunky Hollow Athletic Club in Hobart, Champion of Cerebral Palsy of NW Indiana, past member and director of Innsbrook Country Club and a member of Lexington Country Club in Ft. Myers, Florida. Don's happiest moments of his life were the last seven years. He met and married his wife, Joyce Ann who showed him how to love and enjoy his family and friends. Funeral services will be held at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point (corner of 101st and Broadway) on Saturday, November 20, 2004, at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Ronald L. Davis officiating. Interment at Memory Lane Memorial Park, Schererville. Friends are invited to meet with the family at the Burns Funeral Home on Friday, November 19, 2004 from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. A musical celebration of Don's life will begin at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hunky Hollow Athletic Club, The Crisis Center and The American Brain Tumor Association.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Gootee

24 Entries

Bob & Mary Douglass

December 9, 2004

We want to extend our sincerest condolences on Don's passing. He will be missed and we will remember him in our prayers.

Just a Customer

December 1, 2004

Before the wave of bigger is better grocery stores,I met Don at Parkview.I could actually talk to the owner and knew my comments went right to the top.When I learned of Don's retirement from his wife (who seemed to be holding back tears) I was sad for myself and his other customers, but happy for Don and his family. I am so sorry to hear of his passing...God speed,Don.

jeff smith

November 23, 2004

Allison Randy Susie & Family. Sorry for the loss of your dad.I know he will be missed by you. But I am sure he will be watching over you and be proud.

Isabel & Bob Bernson

November 22, 2004

Dearest Joyce,

Words cannot express our deepest feelings of sympathy to you and your families on Don's passing. We know how he loved you and worshipped you. It was certainly obvious in his demeanor. You both made such a wonderful couple. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Toni Loomis

November 22, 2004

Bill & I are would like to convey to you how sad we are for you in your time of loss and grief. We know how great your love for each other was and how you will miss Don. Stay strong. Your Florida family is here to support you when you return.Don was a wonderful man. He will be sorely missed.

Dick & Louise Carnahan

November 21, 2004

Joyce,

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during your new adventure in life. We feel lucky to have known Don if only for a short time and hope your good memories will be of some comfort.

Keith & Kaylene Luse

November 20, 2004

Joyce, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of Don's family at this most difficult time. Wonderful memories will brighten the day and lighten the heart. God Bless.

Lisa Morano

November 20, 2004

Dear Joyce, Allison, Susie, and Randy,

I wish to express my deep regret that business obligations kept me from Uncle Don's visitation and funeral, and especially for not being able to satisfy his request that I sing during the celebration of his life. My fondest memory of Uncle Don will be the night we sang together to old Sinatra, Bennett, and Streisand tunes at our condo in Laurel Valley at the first Tennessee Gootee family reunion.

I am honored to have had several opportunities during his recent ordeal to experience firsthand his immense courage, strength, and spirit. He is truly an inspiration to us all, and should serve as a constant reminder to fully treasure every day we have with those we love.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all, but hope you will be comforted by the image of him free from pain and singing.

Love,

Your Cousin,

Lisa

Jeri & Pat Patterson

November 20, 2004

Dear Joyce,

We extend ur sympathies to you and all of Don's family. He was so fourtunate to have been surrounded with so much love during these last days. We know he felt your great love and strength throughout. God bless and keep you.

Jeri and Pat

Mary & Jimmy Deep

November 19, 2004

Joyce and all of Don's family,

We will remember how he loved you, Joyce, and how happy you made him. I can still see the two of you dancing arm in arm on your lanai the night of your fabulous party. Now you and all his family can rest knowing that he now has a new and perfect body with no more pain. May God be with you and the rest of the family at this time until you meet with him again in the presence of our Lord. Love, Jimmy and Mary Deep

Nancy and Gerald Tatarek

November 19, 2004

We extend our sympathy to Don's family. Don was a long-time classmate of ours - we are always saddened to hear of the passing of another friend.

Shelly Woodrick

November 18, 2004

Dear Allison, Randy & Susie...

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can only imagine how sad your hearts are... but also how proud. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to see my Uncle Don here, recently after his surgery... his courage and attitude was like nothing I've ever seen!

Remember, I felt guilty at the time for kind of "crashing" your father's day celebration with him at the cabin during our family reunion? But now I'm so glad I did. That's how I will remember him... happy to be with his loved ones and enjoying life... smiling and looking so great! I loved and admired your Dad very much... his passing is such a great loss to so many.

Take good care of each other and I hope we see you soon.

Love, Shelly

Eugene Wytrykus

November 18, 2004

Sorry to hear about Don. Knew him many years working at Parkview & we often teased each other back and forth, mostly about sports things. Best wishes to his family & friends.

Gene

Mary Paskwietz-Unterborn

November 18, 2004

The Dave Paskwietz family has many fond memories of growing up in Whiting w/Parkview Foods...our prayers of sympathy go out to the family.

John Cooper

November 18, 2004

Randy: So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Please know that your friends are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers. Take care buddy. Phi Alpha. Coop and Jennifer

DANNY GOOTEE

November 18, 2004

UNCLE DON,

HAVENT SEEN YOU IN YEARS,I REMEMBER ONE WINTER DAY I WENT INTO YOUR GROCERY STORE AND WENT TO SHAKE YOUR HAND, YOU SMILED AT ME ,REMOVED MY GLOVE AND SAID, NEVER SHAKE A MANS HAND WITH A GLOVE ON. I GUESS THAT WOULD SUM UP A MAN, JUST A SMALL STATEMENT.

RESPECT

MINE AND MY FAMILIES PRAYERS TO ALL THE WONDERFUL COLORFUL GOOTEE'S

THAT I HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH OVER THE YEARS. ONE THING FOR SURE CAN BE SAID... YOU ALL HAVE EACH OTHER...

DANNY...

Jim (Moke) Dillon

November 17, 2004

I am sorry to hear of Don's passing.

I have fond memories of playing golf with Don in the region as well as in Australia. You are in my prayers.

Moke

Bridgitte Ward

November 17, 2004

I am so, so sorry for your loss. My thought are with all of you during this difficult time.

Shawna Partin

November 17, 2004

My first job was at Sterk's working for Mr. Gootee. I am sad to hear that he has passed away. My thoughts are with Randy and the rest of Mr. Gootee's family.

Mike and Stacey Ice

November 17, 2004

Our love and prayers to the family.

Melanie Blanchard

November 17, 2004

Dearest Joyce,

It is with great sorrow that Marilyn and I learned of the passing of your husband and the recent death of your mother. So often we move through life and relationships without expressing the great love we have for others and the gift their presence brings to us. We know that you experienced the joy of knowing and loving both Don and your mother, and we hope you find comfort in that knowledge.

Although it has been many years since we have spoken, both Marilyn and I recall our friendship with you fondly. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and that we are here for you should you need us. The bonds of childhood and the roots of our past are ever present. We both live in greater Atlanta and hope our paths cross with yours in the future.

Forever friends,

Melanie (Jackim) Blanchard

[email protected]

M arilyn (Hric) Werbel

[email protected]

Chris Irwin

November 17, 2004

What a great dad! My thoughts are with you all, especially Joyce, Susie, Allison and Randy. May your wonderful memories of him strengthen you in this difficult time.

Kelly Shindle

November 17, 2004

My thoughts and prays are with the Gootee family during this difficult time. Mr. Gootee was a wonderful person to work for. May he rest in peace.

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