Eric J. “Rick” Goecke

OCALA, FL – Eric J. “Rick” Goecke, 76, of Ocala, FL, passed away at 6:56 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2026 in Tennessee. He was born January 3, 1950, in Lima to the late Albert and Lenore (Deters) Goecke. On June 4, 1994, he married Mary Jo Schmiedebusch. She survives in Ocala, FL.

Other survivors include four children: Kim (Randy) Kahle, Brian (Ona) Goecke, Stacey (Brent) Ward and Josh Cutlip; grandchildren: Brent (Rachel) Kahle, Tyler (Emily) Kahle, Ryan (Abi) Kahle, Grant Kahle, Jordan (Ryan) Briley, Tommy (Courtney) Bishop, Nate Bishop, Elliott Goecke, Archer Goecke, Morgan (Shiann) Cutlip, Gage (Ashton) Cutlip-Pash, Madison (Cade Whitticar) Ward, Jasmine (Logan Selhorst) Ward, Skylee (Damien Seitz) Ward, Katelynn Vogel, Evan Ellerbrock, Emberleigh Cutlip, Emery Aelker, Easton Cutlip, Edyn Cutlip, Eddisyn Cutlip and Everlynn Cutlip; great-grandchildren: Lydia, Violet, Bo, Maggie, Caroline, Lorelei, Winnifred and one on the way; siblings: Ken Goecke, Bill (Joyce) Goecke; a sister-in-law, Dee Goecke; in-laws: Sue Schmiedebusch, Bill (Elaine) Schmiedebusch, Barb Schmiedebusch, Kay (Steve) Buckland and Lori (Joe) Moenter.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Rachel Cutlip-Brentlinger; a brother, Roger Goecke; a sister, Eileen (Mike) Barton; a brother-in-law, Tom Schmiedebusch; and a sister-in-law, Ken’s wife, Joyce Goecke.

Rick retired from Ford Motor Company, Lima Engine Plant. He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Rick enjoyed going out to eat and loved The O-G Titans and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf with Fr. Nathan Bockrath officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com