James "Jim" Goettmann

James “Jim” Goettmann passed away on October 4, 2023 at UPMC Hamot while surrounded by family. He was born in Pittsburgh on November 15, 1943.

Jim graduated from Oliver High School in 1961 and joined the US Navy where he served as a Corpsman. His family had a summer cottage on the shore of Lake Erie in North East where he met his bride, Mary (Hartley). They married in 1966 and moved to New Orleans, where Jim attended Tulane University. In 1967, they returned to Pittsburgh and later settled in North East where he and Mary raised their three daughters. Jim graduated from Gannon University in Erie in 1977 with a BS in Chemistry and worked as a chemist at Hammermill and International Paper in Erie. After retiring, he worked as a consultant for several companies developing specialty nonwoven papers.

To know Jim was to love him. He had a zest for life and greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his grandkids. He loved making jokes and all things Pittsburgh; he was a die-hard Steelers fan. He loved bow hunting, fishing, boating, weight lifting, golf, and swimming.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary; his parents Paul and Elizabeth; and his brother Richard.

He is survived by his daughters Amy Goettmann, Wendi (David) Skelly, and Karen Deitrick, and his grandchildren Kira and Evan Klamar, and Nathan, Kaylee, and Carissa Skelly. He also leaves extended family members and several great friends.

Jim’s passing leaves a tremendous hole in the hearts of his family and friends. As he did not want a traditional funeral service, his family will host a celebration of his life at a future date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678. Please send condolences to elkinfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jim" Goettmann, please visit our floral store.