Sheldon "Shelley" N. Goth
January 24, 1929 - March 30, 2019
Obituary
MADISON-Sheldon "Shelly" N. Goth, age 90, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on Jan. 24, 1929, in Madison, the son of Clarence and Josephine (Kempfer) Goth. Sheldon was united in marriage to Florede "Freda" Kelter on Nov. 10, 1951 in Black Earth.
Sheldon was a member of the 25th Infantry and served in the Army during the Korean War. He served our country courageously and received two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, and countless other medals. In his later years, Sheldon worked for Oscar Mayer, Inc. for over 40 years. He was a jack of all trades and he always stayed busy. His greatest joy in life was his family. Sheldon enjoyed football and baseball and was an avid Green Bay Packers and Brewers fan. He enjoyed gambling at the Ho-Chunk Casino.
Sheldon is survived by his wife, Florede "Freda" Goth; daughters, Tracie (Willy) Hutter, Lisa (John) Hogan and Shelley Ann Liegel; sons, Mike (Linda) Goth and Bruce (Patty) Goth; grandchildren, Kristen (Josh) Dalton, Kara Hutter, Pamela (Travis) Mueller, J.J. Hogan, Kevin "Scoop" Goth, Kenneth (Brooklyn Kalas) Goth, Ann Goth and William (Selene) Goth; sister-in-law, Angie Goth; brothers, Gary (Claudette) Goth, Howard (Ilene) Martin and Delmar (Rosie) Scharnhorst; and sister, Carol Damson. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren and three more on the way; the Kelter Clan, and many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by parents; two brothers, Merlin Goth and Ronald (Hazel) Goth; two sisters, Vera (Myron) Carpenter and Shirley (Bill) Heath; and brother-in-law, Paul Damson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at VERMONT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, with Rev. Barry Hoerz presiding. Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Black Earth. A Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sheldon's family to be designated at a later date. The family would like to thank everyone at St. Mary's hospital for their loving and excellent care of Sheldon.
Events
Visitation
Wed Apr 3, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Vermont Lutheran Church (Black Earth) • 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, WI 53515
Service
Wed Apr 3, 2019 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Vermont Lutheran Church (Black Earth) • 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, WI 53515
Graveside
Wed Apr 3, 2019 @ 12:00 PM CDT
Oak Hill Cemetery • Turkey Rd, Black Earth, WI 53515
Photos
No photos of Sheldon have been shared yet.
Memories
TF
Tammi Alexander, Badger Honor Flight
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Sheldon Goth. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2016.
MG
mike goth
Other •
Dad you left a hole in my heart that can never be filled . I love you and miss you so much. I would like to thank my coworkers and bosses at Engineering Industries for being so thoughtful in my time of sorrow.Mike
CB
Carol buckmaster
Other •
Sheldon-Martha opened the heavenly door on Friday and you followed suit on Saturday. I will always remember you and Martha sitting at the table at Pat and Bruce’s house comparing the pitfalls of aging. You’ve made it past those pitfalls. Rest In Peace as you proceed on your heavenly journey. My deepest sympathy. Carol Buckmaster
LC
Larry Carpenter
Other •
I have many fond memories of Uncle Sheldon. He was a wonderful man with a positive outlook on life.
I am unable to attend, due to health issues currently affecting me. however, I will be there in heart.
Larry Carpenter
LJ
Leon Jones
Other •
In 1947, Uncle Sam brought Sheldon and I together to serve with the Occupation Forces in Japan. Our unit, the US Army 25th Inf. Div., Recon and MP Co. was billeted in a six-story, modern building in downtown Osaka, Japan. Little did we know that we would continue to live in that same building for over two years. Sheldon was there until he was sent to the Korean War in August 1950. While serving in Japan, we were unaware that a monster was quietly growing just over the horizon in Korea! Within a short time, most of us became brothers. Sheldon was one of the great men that became my Army buddy; my brother. As with all the troops in the unit; we would have fought and died for each other – so many did. During the Korean War, Sheldon fought the North Koreans and Chinese hordes, and every painful emotion known to man. He survived hunger, frost bite, frigid temps, blizzards, lack of adequate cold weather clothing and gear, and worn out World War II equipment that we used in Japan. He had only been in combat a bit over a month when he was wounded, then a couple days later, was severely wounded and transported to a hospital. A month later, he returned to the front lines to fight alongside his buddies. Sheldon was truly an American hero. He was a quiet, soft spoken man, but when he spoke (in his military authoritarian tone of voice), he got your attention - we knew he was serious. Yes, he was a bit “hard-headed”, but I think that was his means for primitive self-preservation. We respected him, and found him to be an easy going young man, full of energy and full of mischief (as most of us were). His little giggle was so neat, when he giggled; we giggled! Throughout most of his life, my old brother fought memories of those terrible days in Korea, however, he confided that thoughts of the friendship, the love of his brothers, would immediately displace those horrible memories. He returned to civilian life, married, and raised a great family. He was truly a great man. Although he is out of sight, he will remain in my heart, and in the heart of many others, as long as I live. He is my brother. I love ya bud. Leon
JH
Jim Heath
Other •
To my Godfather: I spent my adult years as an industrial maintenance technician. Ironic, dont you think? I ended up doing the same job as you. I remember you always had smile on your face and made other people's day brighter. You will be missed, but not forgotten. Jim Heath