Richard Goetz

Richard L. Goetz, 83, of Dresden, died Sunday evening, October 12, 2025, at his home.

Born August 16, 1942, in Zanesville, Ohio, he was a son of the late Louis G. and Margaret A. (Keyes) Goetz. He was a 1960 graduate of Jefferson High School and an Episcopalian by faith. Richard loved farming, spending childhood summers at his grandparent Keyes’s farm.

In high school he showed cattle through FFA, winning showmanship and Grand Champion Heifer at the State fair. Richard loved fishing, especially catfishing on the Muskingum River with his good friend, Mick Davis. Richard enjoyed shooting trap, skeet, sporting clays, an accurate rifle, and reloading. He was the owner and operator of Goetz Trucking, worked at SIMCO Peabody Coal, Scurlock Excavation, and he hauled steel over the road through Ace Doran. Richard’s CB handle while driving for Ace was the ‘Diesel Doctor’.

Richard was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles- Aerie 761 Coshocton, Muskingum County Farm Bureau, United Mine Workers of America, Ohio Gun Collectors Association, NRA for over 45 years, American Truck Historical Society, the National Skeet Shooting Association, and the National Sporting Clays Association.

Surviving is his wife of 33 years, Judy A. (Priest) Goetz, whom he married on January 4, 1992; a son, Robert Goetz of Dresden; a daughter, Tracy Goetz (Darryl) Watson of Dresden; stepson, Jerod (Cori) Brennen; stepdaughter, Jessica (Alan) Waller; stepdaughter-in-law, Stephanie (Devin) Christman; grandchildren, Craig Louis Goetz Huey, Beth Brennen, Joel (Riley) Brennen, Sammie Brennen, Kyler and Cooper Brennen; Kaylynn, Ali, Hailey, and Aydan Wallar; brother -in-law, Carl Nethers; cousin, Jane Ellen (Mike) Wiles; nephew, Scott (Lisa) Winsor; godson, Kyle (Stacy) Scurlock; good friends, Ron Scurlock and Mick Archer.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by stepson, Jeremy Brennen; infant brother, Robert L. Goetz; sisters, Martha Nethers and Mary Ann Winsor; brother-in-law, Charles Winsor, Chuck Priest, and Randy Priest; sister-in-law, Anna Priest; uncles Harold Keyes and Robert (Hazel) Keyes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dresden Fire Department, P.O. Box 687, Dresden, Ohio 43821; Tri-Valley High School Clay Target Team, Attn: Elicia Brooks, 7700 McGlade School Road, Dresden, Ohio 43821; or Genesis Hospice, 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.

Family and friends may visit 2-4pm and 6-8pm, Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Dresden Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 714 Main Street.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Friday, October 17, 2025, with Chaplain Tim Patton officiating.

Richard will be laid to rest in the Dresden Cemetery beside his parents.