CLINTON — Richard Eugene Goff, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, slipped away into dreams, peacefully in his sleep on the morning of his 71st birthday, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Richard was born in Pontiac, Ill., to Bobbie Hiram Goff and Donna Jean Shetler, the eldest of eight children. He attended Minonk, Ill. schools, and, after graduating as a Mohawk in 1971, went on the serve in the United States Army in 1972.
His service in the U.S. military took him across the globe to South Korea in 1974, where he would meet his soulmate and the love of his life, Jeannie Myong Goff. The two would be married stateside two years later. Richard would serve four more years in the U.S. Army Infantry until his honorable discharge ended his time as a Sargent E5.
In 1980, his first son Christopher was born at Fort Knox, Ky. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves, receiving his honorable discharge in 1983.
Putting the G.I. Bill to good use, Richard enrolled at Illinois State University in 1984, where he received his bachelor’s degree. In May of that year, he was blessed with the birth of his second son, Jonathan. He then attained his degree as a Juris Doctor.
Richard finally moved his family to Clinton, in 1989, where he practiced law both as DeWitt County State’s Attorney and Public Defender until his retirement in the fall of 2020.
Always a music lover, with a traveling spirit, he used his new-found freedoms to both collect trinkets, antiques, and attend musical outings with his wife and close friends.
Richard was a proud Master Mason for 41 years, as was his father, grandfather, and great- grandfathers before him. He served the Brotherhood as a just and upright Mason, always exemplifying the Craft and all its virtues and tradition. He was raised as a Master Mason at Robert Morris Lodge, in Minonk, in 1983. Since then, he received his degree of SPRS at the Scottish Rite Valley of Bloomington in 1991.
He was also knighted in the York Rite as a Knights Templar at Commandery 66 in Clinton. Over the years, he served in every office of the Lodge and at the time of his death was Secretary of Dewitt Lodge 84 and Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of the State of Illinois 5th Eastern District.
Richard also humbly served as an Elder at Clinton Presbyterian Church. Both he and Jeannie were V.F.W. Life Members.
Over his short 71 years, he lived a life of constant service to his community, his family and to his country. He was a good and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a loyal soldier. He was a public servant. He was a solid friend. He was a good guy…he was a Garage Guy (G.O.T.O.F.A.A.T.). He was loved by many and will be missed and honored every day.
Survivors include his mother, Donna Jean Cunningham, Naples, Fla.; wife, Jeannie Goff, Clinton; children: Christopher (Amanda H. Carlson) Goff, Bloomington, and Jonathan (Kiersten) Goff, Clinton; grandchildren, Sophia Goff and Cora Goff, Clinton; siblings, Barbara (Steele) Westphale, Naples, Fla.; Thomas Goff, Washington, Ill.; Shelly (John) Paranto, Washington, Ill.; Terry (Shelly) Cunningham, Washington, Ill.; and Rob (Kendra) Goff, Tremont, Ill.
Richard was preceded in death by his father and brothers, Steve and Jimmy.
Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with Masonic services at 5 p.m..
Memorials may be directed to the Clinton Presbyterian Church or the DeWitt Masonic Lodge #84 A.F. & A.M.
Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com
