Gerard Louis Goettel, 83, of Southbury, retired United States District Judge, died Monday, December 19, 2011 at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Elinor Praeger Goettel. They were married for 60 years. Judge Goettel was assigned to the Southern District of New York and sat on the bench at the U.S. Court House in Manhattan and White Plains. He also served in Waterbury as senior judge for 11 years. Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Glenn Goettel of Torrington and James Goettel of California; a daughter, Sheryl Keller of Thailand; and a sister, Barbara Griffiths of New York City.

Cemetery: Southford Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 24, at 11: 00 a.m. at the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North. Burial will be in Southford Cemetery, Oxford.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.