Ronald James Goodchild

1938 - 2023

Ronald James Goodchild
Born: June 16, 1938 in Ottawa, IL
Died: July 14, 2023 in Grand RIdge, IL
Ronald James Goodchild, 85, of Grand Ridge, passed away on July 14, 2023 at his home peacefully and with his family by his side.
Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow the service at Grand Ridge Cemetery with Full Military Rites presented by the American Legion Post #33 Honor Guard of Ottawa. Visitation will be Wednesday 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Ron was born on June 16, 1938 in Ottawa to Ronald and Doris (Mills) Goodchild. He worked at Union Carbide/Bakelite, Ottawa, IL (Maintenance Mechanic) and Vactor Manufacturing, Streator, IL (Assembler) for over 40 years. He served for four years in the U.S. Navy on the U.S. Shangrala Air Craft Carrier #38 stationed at Miramar Naval Base in San Diego, California. Ron married Judith Ann Dean on June 30, 1962 at St. Mary's Church in DePue, IL. He was a member of St. Andrews in the Fields, Circus Model Builders member #2404, Circus World Museum, Inc., Circus Historical Society, Glassworkers Local Union #129, American Legion Post #33 in Ottawa, IL. Ron loved building anything with wood and had a constructive creative mind with a special attention to scale and detail of a model. Family events and family were the most important things to him. "May all your days be Circus Days"
He was survived by his wife, Judith Goodchild, of Streator; his three sons, Bob (Rose) Goodchild, of Grand Ridge, Donald Goodchild, of Ottawa, Brad (Sara) Goodchild, of Grand Ridge; six grandchildren, Christopher (Kristen) Goodchild, of Ottawa, Matthew (Chandler) Goodchild, of Streator, Nathan (Delaney) Goodchild, of Ottawa, Vanessa Goodchild, of Davenport, IA, Heidi Goodchild, of Peoria, Joshua Goodchild, of DeKalb; one great-granddaughter, Aubrie Goodchild, of Ottawa; two brothers, Gerald (Birdie) Goodchild, of Ottawa, Ken (Eileen) Goodchild, of Savoy; two sisters-in-law, Jean Dean, Grandville, Janet (Tom) Herzog, of Granite Shoals, TX; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Doris; a brother in infancy; a brother-in-law, Ronald Dean; and many close friends.
Pallbearers will be Christopher, Matthew, Vanessa, Heidi, Nathan, and Joshua Goodchild.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Association, Ottawa Friendship House, and the Grand Ridge Fire Department.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433