William Bill Gettinger

William (Bill) Reid Gettinger, age 90, passed away Friday, March 20, 2015 at his home in Portland.  He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Portland, and a 1943 graduate of Portland High School. He was a United States Army veteran of WWII from 1943-45, and a 67 year member of the Portland American Legion post 211.  He was a 50 year member of the Portland Masonic Lodge #87 and the Scottish Rite of Ft. Wayne.  He retired from General Motors Fisher Body in Marion after 30 years as a journeyman toolmaker.

William  Gettinger was born December 11, 1924 in Randolph County, Indiana the son of Arlo and Mabel (Jessup) Gettinger.  He was married in 1947 to Pauline Huey and they spent 67 years together before her passing on March 24, 2014.

After retirement, Bill and Pauline enjoyed spending the winter months in their Winter Haven, Florida home.  Bill enjoyed planting and tending a vegetable garden when they lived in Bryant.  He and Pauline liked sightseeing and traveling with their daughters in most of the United States.  They also visited the Holy Lands, Germany and England and surrounding area.  Bill was always ready for a drive around the countryside to look at the crops in the fields.

The family would like to thank State of the Heart Hospice of Portland, Indiana for their compassion and assistance.  They would also like to thank the caregivers who made it possible for him to remain at home during his illness.

Survivors Include:

2 Daughters- Darlene Melson (husband-Mackie),  Osceola, Indiana

Cheryl Dunst (husband-Karl),  Berlin,  New Jersey

1 Brother- Jack Gettinger (wife-Suzanne), Yorktown, Indiana

2 Sisters- Wanda Brochin (husband- Al), Coldwater, Ohio

Dixie Amstutz,  Decatur, Indiana

3 granddaughters- Alicia (Greg) Fazzie,  Natalie (Gary) Hopkins,  Kristin (Joe) Young, 2 Step grandchildren-Hollie Melson and Nicholas (Anne) Melson.  8 Great Grandchildren-Zach,  Emily, and Owen Fazzie, Cole and Sabrina Hopkins, Chase, Tyler, and Brody Young. 5 step grandchildren- Ray, Jaron, and Davone McKinstry, Josephine and Atlas Melson.

He was preceded in death by 1 brother- Robert Gettinger, 2 sisters Phyllis (Ken) Horsman, and Judy (Jack) Ledbetter.

Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Tuesday in the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home in Portland.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Wednesday in the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home.  Tom Lightle will officiate the services and burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery on the Jay-Randolph County line.

Memorials may be directed to State of the Heart Hospice or Asbury United Methodist Church.