Goldie Goetz (1894-1965)

Goldie Goetz Brandenstein
Geneva, Goldie, Helen, George and Virginia Brandenstein

Goldie Goetz (b 30 Nov 1894-d 7 Apr 1965) was born in Vigo County, Indiana to Johannes Friedrich George Goetz (b 1864-d 1938) and Mary Alice Gilkerson (b 1872-1948). She and her family lived in Nevins, Vigo County, Indiana until she was 19.  She married George Albert Brandenstein (20 Apr 1882-d 22 Jun 1968) of Huntingburg, Dubois County, Indiana, on 1 Jan 1914 in Clay County, Indiana. George was the son of John Brandenstein Jr. (b 1846-d 1923) and Emma Lloyd (b 1855-d 1948). “Grandma died of heart giving out.  They said her heart was as thin as paper when she died, because of lack of any exercise – 20 years..” due to Parkinson’s disease.  “She was diagnosed when Mom (Opal Geneva Brandenstein, was carrying me.  I was 23 when she passed.  Grandpa missed her so much!  He took good are of her – from the first!  This was what love looked like.” Personal conversation with Bonnie Kaye Butler Moss and Nancy Gearhart Dec 2022 on Facebook.

Grandpa, George Brandenstein, “died of being hit by a car, while he was visiting his 1st daughter” (Opal Geneva Brandenstein) in Terre Haute, IN. He was crossing the street from the cemetery, visiting his 1st wife.” His 1st wife was Odessa Barrett Brandenstein in Marshall, IL. Personal conversation with Bonnie Kaye Butler Moss and Nancy Gearhart Dec 2022 on Facebook.

Goldie and George had 3 children, all born in Terre Haute, Vigo County, IN.  There were:

  • Opal Geneva Brandenstein (b 1915-d 2007)
  • Virginia R Brandenstein (b 1020-d 2014)
  • Helen Mary Brandenstein (b 1925-d 2018)

The family moved to Flint, Genesee County, MI by 1930.  Goldie died in Flint, Genesee County, MI on 7 Apr 1965. 

Opal Geneva Brandenstein (25 Jan 1915-d 2007) was born in Vigo County, IN to George Albert Brandenstein (b 1882-d 1968) and Goldie Goetz (b 1894-d 1965).  The family called her by her middle name, Geneva.  She married Benjamin B Butler (b 29 Aug 1914-d 2 Jun 1987) on ? .  He was born and raised in Flint, Genesee County, MI. (I am not sure of the children of this union.  Checking with the granddaughters).

Virginia R Brandenstein (b 6 Oct 1020-d 29 Jul 2014) was born in Flint, Genesee, MI.  She was the daughter of George Albert Brandenstein (1882-1968) and Goldie Goetz (b 1894-1965). Virginia married Robson George Smith (1916-1995) on 11 Oct 1941 in MI, where they both resided.  George was born on 24 Mar 1916 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada.  He resided in city of Chatham, Kent Ontario Canada in 1921 and moved to Detroit, MI by 1924.  He was living in Flint, Genesee, MI as of 1940. Her husband died 3 Mar 1995 in MI.

There are four children from this union.  They are:

  • Roxanne L Smith -living 2022
  • Kent R Smith – living 2022
  • Madge E Smith – living 2022
  • Scott Smith -living 2022

Helen Mary Brandenstein (b 27 Oct 1925-d 2 Mar 2018) was born in Flint, MI to George Albert Brandenstein(1882-1968) and Goldie Goetz (1894-1965).  She married Robert Gearhart (b 5 Jan 1924-d 14 Dec 1964) on 27 Aug 1948 in Flint, MI.  Robert was the child of  Ezra E Gearhart (b -d) and Emma Butchrite (b-d) George enlisted in WWII, in the Coast Artillery Corps branch of the Army, on 18 Sep 1942 in Detroit, MI. He and Helen were buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint, MI.

There were three children of this union.  They are:

  • Randall Gearhart
  • James Gearhart
  • Nancy Gearhart