Merle Goudschaal

Mr. Merle Goudschaal, 90, of rural Clayton, IL, passed away at 12:08 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.

Born October 19, 1935, in Concord Township, Adams County, IL, Merle was a son of Albert "Mack" and Edith Gerdes Goudschaal. He married Connie Mae Heubner on December 16, 1960, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Coatsburg, IL. She survives.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, Amy Jo Lattimore and her husband, Mike, of Dallas, TX; Mark Goudschaal and his wife, Amy, of Crystal Lake, IL; and Angela Goudschaal of Chicago; his grandsons, Logan Lattimore of Dallas, Ryan Goudschaal of Richmond, VA, and Ethan Goudschaal of Ames, IA; his sister, Carol Bordenkircher, and her husband, Richard, of Rolling Meadows, IL; his sister-in-law, Janet Goudschaal of Clayton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Glenn and Gerald Goudschaal; and a sister-in-law, Sherry Goudschaal.

Merle enjoyed hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities with his brothers and sister while growing up in Pea Ridge. In 1954, Merle enlisted and served in the Army during the Korean conflict. During his travels to Korea, he earned money to buy his first 40 acres; the original Goudschaal family home and land. While in Korea, he was assigned to secure the DMZ. Merle met Connie in September of 1959 and they were married in December of 1960. Both were looking forward to their 65th anniversary this year.

In 1971, Merle and local carpenters built the basement of the current homestead, then worked several more years on the above ground construction. The structure he built is the house he resided in until present day. Several barns were renovated, sheds were built, and out buildings were added. He purchased and acquired several other adjoining farms throughout the years. Using his bulldozer, he cleared this land and turned these into farming and pasture acreage.

Merle retired from Operating Engineer Local 965 after forty (40) years of employment. He built interstates and finished slopes alongside new roadways for highway work. Merle then worked his farm for the remaining twenty-eight (28) years until his passing. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Golden, IL and served in the church as a council member. 

Merle’s passion was spending time with family and friends, working with cattle and dogs, farming the land, hunting coyotes with friends, bulldozing and clearing new land. Merle was known for helping neighbors by snowplowing driveways or cutting firewood. He enjoyed maintaining, improving, working, and building roads, terraces, ponds, and creek crossings on the farm. After waking up, he loved a big breakfast, and riding in the side-by-side. Merle lived every day looking forward to doing chores, visiting with friends, running errands or going to Homestyle Foods. He would always think of a new project to improve or maintain the land by making access to various lands, farms, and roads.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Golden. Burial will follow at Golden Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jensen Camp Foundation and/or to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfuneralhomes.net.

The Hamilton Funeral Home in Clayton is handling the arrangements