TERRE HAUTE – Janet Ileen Goddard, 87 of Terre Haute, passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 at her daughter's home, surrounded by her loving family.
Janet was born on May 19, 1938 in Springfield, Ohio, to the late Floyd O. and Katherine V. (Ream) Grimm.
Following her graduation from the 1956 Class of Northwestern High School, Janet would go on to marry the love of her life, Ronald S. Goddard, on June 14, 1958. She would also go on to work for 15 years at Corn Nuts in Urbana. In her free time, Janet was a faithful member of the Terre Haute United Methodist Church and was an active leader in the United Methodist Women's Group.
A loyal wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, Janet loved nothing more than spending time with Ronald by helping him in the fields on the family farm, mowing the lawn, cooking or baking, and caring for her family, especially once her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. Taking her love of the farm life into action, Janet was also an active member, leader, and advisor for local 4-H over the years, as well as an active member of the Farm Bureau Council.
Janet's favorite times of the year were always the Terre Haute Church Thanksgiving auction, where she would sell her locally-famous German Chocolate Cake; as well as Champaign County Fair Week, where she was a regular attendee and helper for many years, putting her renowned baking skills to action by entering her award-winning cherry pie.
Janet is survived by her children, Carol (Barb Ropp) Goddard, Dale (Linda) Goddard, and Sheryl (Tony) Ropp; grandchildren, Tyler (Megan) Laughman, Jordan (Austin Wiseman) Laughman, Grant (Amelia) Goddard, Ryan (Kayla) Goddard, Matthew (Sydney Tomlinson) Goddard, Eric Goddard, Tia (Dave) Roby and Wesley (Tina) Ropp; great-grandchildren, Hadley, Easton, Charlie & Marley Laughman, Samuel and Adalyn Oppong, Chase & Alexis Nickells, Dyllon, Skyler, Shay & Lincoln Ropp, and Logan & Landon Zanfirov; sister, Janice Lower; sister-in-law, Marilyn Stanley; lifetime friends, Marvin and Betty Lutz; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Ronald Smith Goddard; her parents; great-grandson, Elijah Laughman; brothers, David and Bob (Patty) Grimm; nephew, Kurt Grimm; brothers-in-law, Dave Lower and Joe Stanley; as well as mother and father-in-law, Ivan and Helen (Smith) Goddard.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 at the Terre Haute Community Church, Urbana, Ohio.
Funeral services will immediately follow at noon in the church with Pastor Herman Dick officiating.
Burial will follow in Terre Haute Cemetery, Urbana, Ohio.
Arrangements are entrusted to VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Urbana, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Terre Haute Community Church, 5938 State Route 55, Urbana, Ohio, 43078.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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