John R Gietzen

John R. Gietzen, 77, of Elkhart, Indiana, went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart.

John was born on February 10, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Gerald (Jerry) and Kathleen (Kay) Gietzen. On December 26, 1970, he married the love of his life, Susan (Sue) Balder, with whom he shared more than 55 years of marriage filled with devotion, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

In the early years of their marriage, John and Sue moved to Elkhart, Indiana, where he began what would become a distinguished 41‑year engineering career with CTS, establishing a respected professional legacy that included multiple patents and contributions to intellectual property protection.

John’s life was defined by the love he had for his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandpa who brought joy, warmth, and humor to all who knew him. He had a deep appreciation for nature, a well-loved Coca-Cola collection, and a fondness for music from the 1950s and 1960s. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, sharing classic dad jokes, and spent considerable hours researching and building his family tree. John and Sue especially treasured their trips “up North” and created many beloved family memories at Cedar Point. His Catholic faith was central to his life, and he was a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

John is survived by his loving wife, Sue Gietzen, and their four children: Chris Gietzen of Elkhart, IN; Kathy (Troy) Eash of Elkhart, IN; Maribeth Schoen of Elkhart, IN; and Charlie (Erin) Gietzen of Elkhart, IN. His cherished grandchildren: Jared, Grant, Dakota and Alec Eash, Maddison and Collin Schoen, Cole and Landon.

John is further survived by his siblings: Rick (Pat) Gietzen of Grand Rapids, MI; Dave (Julie) Gietzen of Walker, MI; Tom (Eileen) Gietzen of Grand Rapids, MI; Jeanne (Joe) Johnson of Grand Rapids, MI; and Craig (Mary) Gietzen of Grand Rapids, MI.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Elkhart Center for Hospice Care, whose compassionate support meant so much to John and his loved ones.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced.

John will be remembered for his unwavering love, gentle humor, steadfast faith, and the legacy of family he cherished above all else.

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with his Care.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John R Gietzen, please visit our floral store.