John William Goddard Obituary (1937

John William Goddard, 85, of Decatur, IL, formerly of Washburn, IL, passed away at 12:03 a.m. on July 27, 2023 at Carriage Crossing in Decatur, IL. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday August 2, 2023 at Faith Church, 2354 Hollands Grove Road, Washington, IL with Pastor Rick Brisbin officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Faith Church, Washington, IL. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday August 3, 2023 at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. The family has entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Faith Church. John was born December 4, 1937 in Windsor, IL, the son of Elbert H and Lillian B (Pritts) Goddard. He married Marilyn Jean Kelley September 2, 1956 in Windsor, IL. She passed away February 26, 2022. Survivors include his children: Johnna (Steve) Hart, Decatur, IL, Gregory (Paula) Goddard, Maricopa, AZ; grandchildren: Jeremiah (Sara) Hart, Winfield, MO, Benjamin (Alisa) Hart, Naples, FL, Andrew Hart, Decatur, IL, Daniel Hart, Chicago, IL, John (Renee) Goddard, Maricopa AZ, Peter (Katie) Goddard, Buena Vista, CO, James (Rebekah) Goddard, Sharpsburg, GA; great-grandchildren: Jacob, Isaac, Abigail, and Leah Hart, Breitling Hart, Samuel and Elijah Goddard, Jacob, Samantha, Chance, and Arrow Goddard, Noah and Elijah Goddard; siblings: James Elbert Goddard, Decatur, IL, Mary Lena (Kirk) Storm, Auburn, WA, Evelyn Rose (Hans) Gottschalk, Sonoma, CA, and Ardyth (Cecil) Withrow, Springfield, IL. Also, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Betty Jo Goddard and Myron Thomas Goddard, and infant granddaughter Leah Hart. John graduated from Windsor High School in 1955. He attended Eastern Illinois University where he played football and ran track. He then graduated with a Master's Degree in Physical Education. He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn, in 1956. He began his teaching career with four years at Noble High School in Noble, IL and then taught for five years at Mid-County in Varna, IL. He retired in 1994 from Low Point-Washburn High School after 26 years. Throughout his career he taught PE, Industrial Arts, and Driver's Ed. He coached numerous sports throughout his 35-year tenure. He was most well known throughout the state for his many winning seasons in track and cross country. He spent his summers working for Great American Insurance as a crop hail adjuster. While raising his family, John enjoyed annual family vacations camping along the Current River in Missouri as well as staying at Happy Hollow on Table Rock Lake and visiting Branson, MO. In retirement, John and Marilyn enjoyed winters in Florida and eventually spent several of their last winters in Orange Beach, AL. John was a family man who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He had a special bond with his grandson Andrew. He was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren. His servant heart shone through with how he interacted with people and the way he coached his teams. He loved to tease and joke with people at any given time. John and Marilyn were faithful members of Faith Church and loved their church family deeply. John loved watching western movies, especially John Wayne. If he was not watching a western movie, he could be found watching sports. As an avid sports lover, his favorite teams included the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls, as well as the Fighting Illini. He was always wearing his favorite team's apparel and hat. For many years, John and Marilyn served together on various Walk to Emmaus and women's prison ministry teams. They found great joy in serving the Lord together. The family would like to thank the staff of Carriage Crossing in Decatur, IL for taking great care of John since February 2022.