Orville Knox Goodenough, Jr., age 93, of Morrison, IL, died Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Genesis East Medical Center in Davenport, IA.
Orville was born June 10, 1930, to Orville, Sr. and Helen (Montgomery) Goodenough. He lived on the family farm on Garden Plain Road, with a few exceptions, all his life. He graduated from Prairie Center Grade School and Morrison High School. In his youth he was involved in 4-H and was a State Sectional Vice President and American Farmer Award winner in FFA. He married his high school sweetheart, Clara Geerts in 1950, and their marriage was blessed with three children. He served in the U. S. Army and was an Investigator for the Counterintelligence Corps. He and Clara raised purebred Holstein cattle (O-Good Holstein Farm) and exhibited them at many fairs, including over 50 years at the Whiteside County Fair, and was awarded the Friend Of The Fair Award. He was a member and served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Holstein Association, Rock River Holstein Club, Whiteside Farm Bureau, Morrison Historical Society, and served as an Elder of First Presbyterian Church of Morrison. Orville took barn pictures, wrote Old Farmer Poetry and “The Good Old Days” stories. In 2000 he traveled to Ukraine and Moldova as a volunteer, working with farmers as part of the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs.
He is survived by his children, Cathy Anderson, Philip (Zarina) Goodenough, and Steve (Lisa) Goodenough; six grandchildren, Wendy (Nathan) Hess, Ryan (Jessica) Anderson, Stephanie (Danny) McFadden, Amber Floyd, Megan (Matthew) Rangen, and Ethan Goodenough; 11 great-grandchildren, Andrew, Molly, and Zachary Hess, Lilian and Jeremiah Anderson, Liam, Oliver, and Walker McFadden, Amira and Deja Floyd, and Owen Rangen; sister, Carolyn (Bill) McCue; brother-in-law, Larry (Jean) Geerts; sisters-in-law, Vera Flood and Audrey Geerts.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Goodenough.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Morrison, IL.
A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Doctor Michael Selburg officiating.
A memorial has been established to Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center, P.O. Box 199, Oregon, IL, 61061.
Online condolences may be sent to www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.