Getz, Lester - 1915-2009

COHEN, GETZ, LONG, VANVUREN

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 1/24/2009 at 10:06:57

NAPLES, Fla. — Lester Earl Getz, 93, of Naples, Fla., died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. He was born on Feb. 10, 1915, in Monte Vista, Colo., the son of Daniel and Anna Getz, eighth of nine children.
His wife of 53 years, Clara, preceded him in death in 1993 Survivors include his daughter, Carole (Joseph) Long of Yarmouth, Maine; granddaughters, Abagael Long of Portland, Maine, and Sarah (Adam) Cohen of Annapolis, Md.; son, James (Cathy) Getz of Punta Gorda, Fla.; grandson, Ted (Sara) of Royal Oak, Mich.; granddaughter, Theresa (and fiancé, Rick VanVuren) of Allegan, Mich.; and only remaining sibling, brother Willis (Bette) Getz of Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves special dear friend, Eileen Scanlan of Bonita Springs, Fla.
Les was raised in Gosben, Ind., where he was a football, basketball and track standout in high school. He graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., where he met his future wife, Clara. A natural athlete, he was a member of the “Famous Five” basketball team who played in Madison Square Garden in the NIT Tournament. He also graduated from GMI (now Kettering University) and worked in the defense industry prior to enlisting as a flight instructor in the U.S. Navy (Lt. SG) in 1943, where he served until the end of the war.
He then moved to Sioux City and entered into the automobile dealership business with his brother, Jess. He later owned a Buick/Pontiac dealership in Newton where his children were raised and he and Clara lived for many years prior to retiring to Bonita Springs. Les was an avid golfer and member of Spanish Wells for many years and made many friends on the course. You were not a stranger for long if Les was present. Services are private, and Les will be interred at the Bonita Springs Presbyterian Church.
Remembrance donations may be made to Hope Hospice or the charity of one’s choice.
Source: Newton(IA) Daily News; Wednesday, January 21, 2009