Russell Wayne Gooding

Russell Wayne Gooding, 91, passed away peacefully in his Wallace home with family by his side on March 22, 2016. Greeting Russell when he awoke were his Heavenly Father, as well as his wife of 62 years, Elinor Joanne (Grimes) Gooding.

A lifelong resident of the Wallace area, Russell was born in a log cabin on his parent's farm. He worked hard from a very young age to help his family keep their farm from foreclosing during the worst years of the Great Depression. He graduated from Wallace High School, where he also enjoyed playing on the basketball team.

As a member of "The Greatest Generation," when his country called, Russell answered and served during the latter portion of World War II in the Army Air Force, being stationed at MacDill Air Field for the majority of his service.

After being honorably discharged from the military, he returned home to Jackson Township to farm and operate an agricultural trucking company, both of which he did until nearly the age of 80. He also served his community on the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Wallace Town Board.

Russell and Joanne raised three children in their Wallace home. They later became proud grandparents who were very active in their four grandsons' lives.

Living out his marriage vows of "in sickness, and in health," when Alzheimer's disease afflicted his wife, Russell became her devoted full-time caretaker. Even at the expense of his own health, he saw to it that she was able to remain in their own home for nine years before she finally succumbed to the disease in 2010.

In recent years, Russell found enjoyment in the time he spent with his family. He was able to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where he was privileged with being asked to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He also blessed his grandson, Dan, by serving as best man in his wedding this past summer. And he left an indelible mark on his "Sweetpea," great-granddaughter Ella, with the multiple visits full of his doting they got to enjoy.

Surviving are his three children and their spouses: Susan (husband Sherrill) Hesler, Allen (wife Karon) Gooding, and Kimberly (husband Timothy) Rice; four grandsons: Daniel (wife Karlie) Hesler, Timothy Hesler, Cody (wife Brittany) Gooding and Jared (fianc`ee Jenna) Gooding and one great-grandchild: Ella Gooding.

Preceding him in death were his wife Elinor Joanne (Grimes) Gooding, brothers Dale and George Earl Gooding, and parents George and Viola (Allen) Gooding.

Visitation will be from 11:30 am until the funeral service at 2:30 on Friday March 25, 2016. Both visitation and the service will be held at Shoemaker Funeral Home (202 Bratton Road Waynetown, IN 47990). Burial with military honors will be at Wallace Lutheran Cemetery immediately following the service.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be may directed to either Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department (3898 South State Road 341 Wallace, IN 47902) or Greater Lafayette Honor Flight (P.O. Box 275 Lafayette, IN 47902) made :in memory of Russell Gooding."

The family would like to thank the staffs of Eastside Family Medicine, Franciscan Health-Crawfordsville, St. Vincent Hospital, and Southern Care Hospice as well as Drs. Mathison, Stewart, Hagadorn, Metzman, Valentine, and Robison for their special skill and care that enabled Russell to continue on with the health to enjoy special moments with his family over the past few years.