Ernest A. Goertz, 88, of Goessel, died Feb. 18 at Bethesda Home in Goessel.

He was born May 2, 1922, at home in rural Harvey County, to Henry and Martha (Schmidt) Goertz, the fifth of six children.

He graduated in 1940 from Walton High School and served in civilian public service during World War II.

He was a farmer until he retired in 1999.

He married Elma Goertzen on Aug. 11, 1947, and they settled on a farm in the Goessel community.

He was a member of Tabor Mennonite Church.

His parents, daughter Mary, son Henry, and sisters Rachel Ratzlaff and Bertha Schroeder preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Elma, of Goessel; a son, Joel of Goessel; five daughters, Ruth Reiselt of North Port, Fla., Emily of Seattle, Wash., Dorothy Bernstein of Portland, Conn., Esther Epp of Newton, and Naomi Ingram of Cincinnati, Ohio; three brothers, Art, Alvin, and Richard; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Tabor Mennonite Church in rural Goessel. The Rev. Corey Miller will officiate.

Burial will follow in Tabor Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Memorials have been established with Mennonite Central Committee and Bethesda Home in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Goessel KS 67053.