Odon
James William Goforth Sr., 82, of West Main Street, Odon, Indiana, passed away at 6:50 a.m. Monday, August 22, 2016, at his home.
James was born August 5, 1934, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the son of Samuel William and Vinnie Mae Kennedy Goforth. He married Betty Halsey Goforth March 13, 1989.
James attended Odon Nazarene Church and was a former deacon at Seymour Church of Christ. He retired from Cummins Engine Company after 30 years of service.
After retirement, James worked at Big Lots and worked as a school crossing guard. He enjoyed word search puzzles, collecting antique marbles and raising flowers. James sang with his wife in a gospel group called the Peaceful Valley Singers. He loved his dog J.W. and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Pastor Trevor Stanley officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2016, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charities through the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Halsey Goforth of Odon; sons, James William (Brandie) Goforth Jr. of Columbus and Larry Goforth; daughters, Susan (Mike) Stadtmiller and Sara Goforth, both of Columbus, Sheryl (Ronnie) Bogle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Melanie (Hosea) Brown of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; stepdaughters, Myra Christine (Casper) Sipes of Columbus and Rita (Larry Jr.) Priddy of Bloomfield, Indiana; 10 grandchildren, including Colin and Conner Shireman and Jacob and Travis Goforth; as well as 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel William and Vinnie Mae Kennedy Goforth; and an infant granddaughter.
He also has one brother and one sister.
Services were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
You are invited to view his video tribute after 4 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2016, light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the Internet.
