Gerald Gotwalt

Gerald Duane Gotwalt, age 88, of Greenville, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2022 at home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of Archie & Ida (Atkinson) Gotwalt, he was born on May 23, 1934 in Greenville, Michigan. Gerald began his working career with the Department of Public Works for the City of Greenville, and retired from the former General Tire plant in Ionia after 26 years of service. Not one to sit still in retirement, Gerald even worked at Korson's Tree Farms, especially at harvesting time in preparing Christmas trees. On St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 1956, in Muskegon, he married Bonnie May Lynn and together they enjoyed 66 years of marriage and raised four children. An avid outdoorsman, Gerald enjoyed hunting and fishing, and in his younger years played on a slow ball team with his brothers, earning several league trophies. He was a great "spoons" player and loved country music. His love for children went beyond his own family and he was known to hand out dollar bills to crying children at Meijer. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Dawn N. Gotwalt; two brothers, Donald Gotwalt and Eugene Gotwalt; and three sisters-in-law, Arlene Gotwalt, Pat Gotwalt, and Virginia Gotwalt. Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Gotwalt; their children, Dawn & Mike Gillikin, Jerry Gotwalt, Gail & Darrell Throop, and Jennifer Gotwalt; his grandchildren, Casey Barr, Chad & Nicole Nash, Amy & Mike Houghton, Christa &Jason Anderson, Alyssa & Mathew Moon, Brandon & Amber Gillikin, Nicole Gillikin, Hollie Shilling, Cara & Kyle Swan, Keith& Meshele Gotwalt, and Taylor Shilling; twenty-two great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; four brothers, Gordon Gotwalt, Roger & Rita Gotwalt, Wayne & Kerrie Gotwalt, and Ronnie & Kay Gotwalt; siblings-in-law, Clarence Lynn, Tina & Ron Guenthardt, Dennis Lynn, Garth & Kathi Lynn, and Denise Knudson; and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family in celebrating Gerald's life from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at the Eureka Charter Township Hall, 9322 S.W. Greenville Road, Greenville. Instead of flowers, contributions in memory of Gerald to Spectrum Health Hospice would be appreciated. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Gotwalt, please visit our flower store.