Clarence R. Goterba

Youngstown - Clarence R. Goterba, 90, of Park Vista Retirement Community, formerly of Poland died Friday afternoon at the nursing home. Mr. Goterba was born January 27, 1918 in Columbiana, Ohio, a son of Raymond and Beatrice Elser Goterba. He was a life-long area resident. A 1937 graduate of North Lima High School, Mr. Goterba received his degree in education from Bowling Green State University in 1941 and received his Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1947. He also attended Westminster College and Youngstown State University. Mr. Goterba was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the 86-division Cannon Company during World War II. He taught at Poland Seminary High School, Youngstown East High, and the Rayen Schools. He was also a counselor at Choffin Career Center. Mr. taught part time in the Social Studies Department of Youngstown State University from 1943 through 1967. Mr. Goterba retired from teaching in 1980. Mr. Goterba was an active member of his church and in the community. He was a member of Mahoning County Retired Teachers Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, and the National Teachers Association. While attending the Poland Presbyterian Church, he was Superintendent of the Sunday School program as well as being a teacher. He was also a Deacon, member of Session for two terms, and involved in the Samaritans and Mariners activities. Mr. Goterba was elected to the Poland Board of Education and served a term as President, he also was a member of the Poland Kiwanis Club, serving a term as president. He was a member of the Mahoning Valley Bowling League. His loving wife, the former Mary Tuttle whom he married June 26, 1948 died April 22, 2002. He leaves two children, Gary (Linda) Goterba of Cataula, Ga., and Gail (Roger) Blevins of Austintown; four grandchildren, Rachel (Vince) Caspary, of Austintown; Ross Blevins of Austintown, Carol (Mike) Kindrick of Midland, Ga., and Elizabeth (Ed) Duncan of Cataula, Ga; and four great-grandchildren, Ashley Kindrick, Robert Duncan, Joseph Duncan and Michael Duncan. Besides his parents and wife, Mr. Goterba was preceded in death by a son Gregory Goterba. Services will be held at the Poland Presbyterian Church Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 12:00 noon. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in the Poland Riverside Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday, December 1, 2008 from 4-6 at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland. The family request that material tributes be made to the Greg Goterba Scholarship fund, Malone College, 515 25th St. N.W., Canton, Ohio 44709. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .

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