Retired Army Command Sergeant Major James D. Goeltz, age 95, passed away September 25, 2024, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Sergeant Major Goeltz was born on December 13, 1928, in Ashland, Wisconsin to parents Earl and Margaret (Bowron) Goeltz. He attended grade and high school in Ashland and graduated with the class of 1946. He also attended Northland College in Ashland. Goeltz joined the Wisconsin National Guard in Ashland in 1948 and served one year. He enlisted in the regular Army in 
December 1950 and retired December 1, 1980. During his career he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Iran, and Ethiopia overseas and at Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Jackson, and Fort Riley in the continental United States. He served overseas 25 years. Military awards include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and various other awards and honors. Sergeant Major Goeltz was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Derrick; sisters, Marilyn (Jungerheld), Virginia (Sorensen), and Margaret; brothers, Gerald, and William (Bonnie) Goeltz. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Sheila (Westbury) of Council Bluffs. They were married on February 5, 1956, in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Survivors also include three sons, Jeffrey and soulmate, Lila of Corvalis, Montana, Paul of Council Bluffs, Kurt of Harlan, Iowa; 3 grandchildren, Akoya, Ella, and Aspen; 2 brothers, Richard (Gloria) of Colgate, Wisconsin, Louis (Tina) of Green Bay, Wisconsin; sister, Mary (Cary) Palmer of rural Cable, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews. Sergeant Major Goeltz was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chapter #690 in Ashland; and American Legion Post #90 in Ashland. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Council Bluffs. Sergeant Major Goeltz was an avid jogger and walker. Into his 80’s he jogged two miles or more a day. He and his wife Sheila belonged to the American Volksport Association for many years and walked together over 1000 10-kilometers walks. Goeltz and his wife began volksmarching in Germany in 1971 and continued the non-competitive sport into the next century. In the 1940’s when Goeltz was sports editor of the Ashland Daily Press he was responsible for re-naming the local high school team from Purgolders to Oredockers, for which he was quite proud. At one time the city of Ashland featured four large oredocks jutting out into Lake Superior. Thus, the name Oredockers. Goeltz was a loyal follower of the Green Bay Packers, attending his first game in 1941; and the Wisconsin Badgers. Following retirement, he was a volunteer at the retiree activities office at Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue, Nebraska for 33 years. Graveside service and burial, Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls, Iowa Full military honors will be tendered. Visitation with the family, Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at Linn’s Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral attendees are asked to wear bold and colorful clothing, and no politics should overshadow this event.