Benjamin Lee Goode, Sr.

Benjamin Lee Goode, Sr. (92) of Greenfield passed away in his home on October 20, 2022 of natural causes. Ben was born in Wrights, Illinois, on June 17, 1930, the son of Omer and Starcy (Stinnett) Goode. He was one of ten children and was extremely proud to be a good student and graduate of Greenfield High School. He is survived by one brother (Richard Goode) and three sisters (Gladys Cochran, Dovie Skaggs, Linda Campbell) having previously lost three brothers (Charles, John, Sonny) and two sisters (Marjorie Range, Imogene Williams). He married Virginia Cannedy on his 18th birthday (1948) in Greenfield. Together they raised 5 children on their farm near Wrights.

Ben farmed his entire life, first with his father and brothers, then on his own to provide for his family, and then finally with his son and grandsons. He was elected to the office of Greene County Treasurer in 1970 and retired in 1994. Ben served as the Greene County Democratic Party Chairman, as the Wrights Township Precinct Committeeman, and as a member of the Greenfield Lions Club for many years. He took a great interest in politics and public service with an emphasis on serving the local community. Ben was a member of the Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Wrights. He was an avid hunter and fisherman with an affinity for squirrel and crappie.

Ben is survived by a large family of five children, Brenda Albrecht (John), Patricia Self (Jim, deceased), Marilyn Weisner (Joe), Benji Goode (Bev), and Sherry Turpin (Elliott), eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. His family was extremely important to him and he often told others that because of his family he was the luckiest man in the world. His family would often ask him to tell stories of his childhood and he would happily oblige. He is remembered as an extremely patient and caring person and the best dad and grampa that ever lived. He would always tell his children, “We’ll take what they send.” In that spirit, Ben’s family is grateful to have had him for many years and will gracefully return him to the soil that he loved and lived for during his 92 years.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am Wednesday, October 26, at the Shields-Bishop funeral home in Greenfield. Ben and Virginia will be laid to rest together at the Union Cemetery north of Greenfield following the service. No visitation is scheduled. Memorials in his honor are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Greenfield Tiger Backers. Please leave a memory or condolence at shields-bishopfh.com.

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