Armand Gottardi

Armand Gottardi, Jr., of Terre Haute, went to eternal rest on June 12, 2019, at Cobblestone Crossings Health Campus, surrounded by his family. Armand was born on October 14, 1930, to Armand Gottardi, Sr., and Ida Lorenzo Gottardi, in Blanford, Indiana.

Armand married the love of his life, Betty M. Grubor, on January 24, 1954. Together they raised two sons and a daughter. Armand and Betty were devoted to one another for 65 years.

Armand graduated from Wiley High School in 1948 and moved to Chicago, where he worked for ACME Steel and Continental Can Company. Armand served the United States Army in the Korean War (1951-1952) and was honorably discharged in March 1957. Upon returning from Korea, he attended Indiana State. From 1953 to 1959, he was at Security Loan Company at Meadows Center and then Schultz & Company. In 1959, Armand joined his parents at Louise’s Restaurant.

Armand, along with his wife Betty, owned and were dedicated to Louise’s Restaurant in Terre Haute, Indiana, from 1970 to1995. Armand put his heart and soul into the business; employees were like family and over the years, customers became great friends.

Armand was a long-time supporter of the Indiana State University athletic teams and recognized as an Honorary Coach and Honorary Member of the ISU Sparkettes. He was a member of the Indiana Restaurant Association, Indiana Tavern Keepers Association, Historical Society, March of Dimes, and Terre Haute Noon Optimist Club. Armand was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash award by the Governor of Indiana.

Armand enjoyed traveling with his dear friends to watch the New York Yankees play baseball. He loved trips to the casino, antiques, old movies, and sports—especially St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He will be remembered by his grandchildren as the greatest grandpa ever and by his loving words, “Be good.”

Armand is loved and will be missed by his children: son Kenneth (Tony) Pugh and his wife Sharon; daughter Armeen Gottardi Williams and husband J. Scott; and son Gary Gottardi and wife Paula Latta Gottardi. Also surviving are his grandchildren Tony Lee Pugh, Brian Pugh, Elizabeth Williams, Brooke Williams, Holly Ringleb, Claire Williams Weaver, Lauren Cole, Kelsey Holcomb, Madison Gottardi, and nine great-grandchildren; his sister Esther Gottardi Pfister, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, father, mother, and sister Roseann Gottardi Bussey.

Services will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church, Saturday, June 15, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to mass at church 12–1 p.m. Burial, with military honors will be at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Riley Children’s Hospital.  Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.

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