Franz Nestor Gouttiere

Franz Nestor Gouttiere, age 91, formerly of Maumee, OH passed away Thursday, September 24, 2009 in Swan Creek Retirement Village surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 26, 1918 in Maumee, Ohio to Nestor Phillip and Edith Josephine Lambillotte Gouttiere. Franz was a graduate of St. Joseph Elementary School in Maumee, Central Catholic High School class of 1937, refrigeration school in 1947 and two years of college at DeSales College and Toledo University. He served in the United States Army from December 30, 1942 until being discharged January 31, 1946. Franz was discharged with the rank of Technician 5th Grade having served in Battery A and B of the 227th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion in which he was a radar operator having seen action in Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and Luzon. He earned the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Medal World War II. Franz was employed with Gouttieres Pastry Shop, Krogers Grocery Stores as a refrigeration specialist, Electric Autolight on Hamilton Street in Toledo, Ohio and lab technician for Dana Corporation on Bennett Road. He was a lifelong member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Maumee where he was a member of the Church Cemetery Board. He enjoyed woodworking; he made a four poster cherry wood bed from his own plans after having made his own draw knife to carve the four eight sided posts. Franz also constructed four Emperor Grandmothers clocks, one for each of his children; two sets of bookcases for his son, John; an overstuffed chair which was a high school woodworking project that is still in the family and utilized on a day to day basis; couch, a Queen Ann Secretary; and childrens toys and furniture. He was a founding member of the Cadence Dance Club. Franz also enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing and golf. Franz is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Rita Monahan Gouttiere; children, John P. LeeAnn Gouttiere, Carol Ann Michael Lettich, Mary Simon Robert and David Gouttiere; grandchildren, Cristin, Mary Kathleen, Todd, Nicholas, Colleen and Jack; sister, Sister Marie Michelle, O.S.U. nee Rosemary Gouttiere and many other nieces and nephews. Family and friends may visit Friday, October 2, 2009 from 4:00 pm 8:00 pm in the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, OH where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will begin Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 10:30 am in the funeral home followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maumee. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Maumee. The family requests memorial contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph Church, 104 West Broadway Street Maumee, OH 43537 or the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, 21040 Trebec Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44119. www.walkerfuneralhomes.com