Carl Goltermann

Carl Herbert Goltermann passed away peacefully at his home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on October 17, 2018 at the age of 91. He had lived with Parkinson’s disease for many years.

Carl spent his formative years in St. Louis, Missouri and Decatur, Illinois. As a child of the Silent Generation, he was a school age boy during the Great Depression and attended high school during World War II. These events had a profound impact on the type of person Carl was and how he lived his life. To those who knew him best Carl is described as being generous, caring, loyal, stubborn, determined, honorable, compassionate and patient, with a dry sense of humor. Carl cared deeply about those around him in both his business life and personal life and would put their needs ahead of his own. He never had a bad thing to say about others. Carl lived his life as a true gentleman.

After high school in Decatur, Carl entered the Navy. His own words to describe this time of his life was Navy Daze. The war effort was winding down and the US was entering the post-war era. His college years were spent first at DePauw University, where he met his first wife, Ginger Johnson, then at the University of Illinois.  With a CPA in hand, he was hired by an accounting firm in Decatur, owned by his neighbor, Tim Murphy. Coincidentally, Tim would later become his step-father when Carl’s mother, Gladys, remarried later in her life. His stint as an accountant led to Carl being hired by one of his local manufacturing clients in Decatur, Swain & Myers. When the owner died suddenly, Carl was promoted to President of this wood shelving manufacturing firm. In 1975, Carl left Decatur to join his brother Bob in running a plastic knob business called Knobs Incorporated in the Chicago suburb of Berkeley, Illinois. Now named KI Industries, this company supplies knobs to the appliance and automotive industries. Carl eventually purchased this business from his brother and oversaw its’ growth until turning over the reins to his son David when Carl retired. This family run business is still going strong after more than 50 years.

Carl had a strong love for his family and friends. As a father, raising his family in Decatur with his wife Ginger, they loved to pile the family into the station wagon for summer vacations in Florida or for water skiing trips to Lake Shelbyville. They developed a strong love for St. Pete Beach in Florida and spent a number of winters in residence there.

Carl and Ginger were married for 44 wonderful years before he lost her to cancer in 1995. Later that year Carl was introduced to Margaret Williams by friends in Decatur. They married in 1996 and lived in Glen Ellyn, Illinois until his passing. They enjoyed spending time with their combined families, traveling and winters in St. Pete Beach, Florida. They especially enjoyed watching the critters and beautiful view of their back yard. As the children married, had children and grandchildren, the Goltermann home in Glen Ellyn has served as a gathering place. Carl Goltermann and his family have been part of the fabric that makes Glen Ellyn such a special place for more than 40 years.

Carl had a strong charitable side. He supported many local and national charities. He also spent many years on the Board of Directors of Decatur Memorial Hospital.

The Goltermann family has a tradition to name the oldest son of the oldest son by the name Carl. Carl Herbert was the sixth generation in his family lineage to carry the name Carl. This tradition dates from 1772.

Carl is survived by his brother Bob (wife Marcia); his wife Margaret; her children Amy and Chris, grandchildren and great-children; his children Bill (wife Joann), Karen and David (wife Betsy); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren. There was a lot of love in his life.

Both the memorial service and interment will be private.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, if you would like to do something in remembrance of Carl Goltermann, please consider making a donation in his name to the Davis Phinney Foundation at: Davis Phinney Foundation donations page.

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