Mitzi Goethals
July 11, 1936 — August 15, 2015
Mitzi (Obren) Troiola Goethals, 79, of Mishawaka, passed away Saturday evening, August 15, 2015, in Hospice House, South Bend.
Mitzi was born July 11, 1936 in South Bend, daughter of the late George and Elsie (Savich) Obren. Her father died when she was young and her mother then married Mike Kovachevich. Mitzi grew up in South Bend and has lived most of her adult life in Mishawaka.
Mitzi and her husband Joe owned and operated Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home in Mishawaka. In recent years she was employed at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Mitzi was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church. She enjoyed baking for others. Her greatest passion was her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mitzi was preceded in death by her parents, George, Elsie and Mike; her husband, Joe; brothers, Steve and George Obren; and sisters, Joan Kovachevich and Donna Bickel.
Mitzi surviving family includes three children, Wayne (Mary) Troiola of South Bend, Joni (Kevin) Madou of Mishawaka and Julie (Kevin) Novak of Wakarusa; a step son, Mark Goethals of San Marcos, California; ten grandchildren, Nicole (Jake) Webster, Kristin (Jeremy) Dawson, Nick (Tabitha) Troiola, Tony (Jenny) Troiola, Kylei Novak, Devanny Novak, Tuesday Novak, Joseph (Kelilyn) Nowicki, Eric (Katie) Nowicki and Cole Nowicki; four great grandchildren, Mackinsey, Tyler, Marshall and Rolly; sisters, Rose Harlow and Violet Millage; a brother, Pete Obren; and a very special sister-in-law, Verleen Obren. Mitzi’s extended family includes Mary Ann and Lu DelPrete and those who have been so loving and caring in her time of need including Jerry Bickel and Lauralee Rodgers. Mitzi and her family are so appreciative of the wonderful care from the Center for Hospice Care and especially her nurse, Bonnie.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 20, at 11 am in St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 W. Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka, with Rev. Jeffery Largent officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.
Friends may spend time with Mitzi’s family Wednesday, August 19, from 4 - 7 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, and also Thursday from 10 - 11 am in the church.
Memorials are suggested to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46544.
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