John M. Goshow

John M. Goshow, 81, of Souderton, PA; formerly of Perkasie, PA went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Souderton Mennonite Homes. John was the loving husband of the late Janet L. (Swartley) Goshow for 54 years. He was born in Sellersville, PA to the late Ezra M. Goshow and the late Ruth (Moyer) Goshow. John graduated from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, class of 1961. He and his spouse, Janet, served in I-W service in Kankakee, IL. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite College, class of 1969 with a bachelor's degree in social work. He then received his master's degree in social work from the Virginia Commonwealth University. John served Penn Foundation in Sellersville, PA, for 30 years in a variety of leadership roles, including as the organization's long-time CEO, before retiring in 2010. Under John's leadership, the foundation grew from a small organization into a respected institution, providing mental health, drug, and alcohol services to countless individuals and families. An advocate for mental health awareness and access to care, John worked closely with policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to address addiction and mental health challenges in Bucks and surrounding counties. He was dedicated to building a strong community of support, empowering individuals to recover, reintegrate, develop resilience, and rediscover purpose and fulfillment in their lives. He was a member of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church where he taught Sunday School and was an active participant in the Crusaders Sunday school class. He served two terms on the Congressional Leadership Board starting in 2019. John was a member of the Rotary Club of Souderton-Telford. He was deeply involved with Christopher Dock Mennonite High School (now Dock Mennonite Academy) in Lansdale, PA: served on the school board from 1986–2002, the Committee of Trustees from 2002–2022, and as Board Chair from 2022–2024. John loved spending time with his family and taking annual family beach vacations to Ocean City, NJ. In his later years, he spent two summers volunteering at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in Divide, CO through the SOOP program. He also enjoyed yardwork, reading, golfing, playing Rook with family and friends, hiking, playing chess, raising goats, and growing dahlias. John was a hardworking, caring, and generous man with strong integrity and a servant's heart. He was a great listener, handled conflict gracefully, and was a servant leader who loved connecting people and creating space to equip and develop young and new leaders. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey M. Goshow & wife, Tonya of Dade City, FL; his two daughters, Jennifer G. Lacher & husband, Chad of Souderton, PA, Jessica A. Shenk & husband, Jeremy of East Petersburg, PA; his 10 grandchildren, Samantha Wooler (Brent), Cierra Goshow, Brianna Goshow, Hali Renner (Thomas Grieco), Jeffrey Goshow, Jr. (Gianna Dawson), Sophia Lacher, Nathan Lacher, Caleb Lacher, Lincoln Shenk, and Coraline Shenk; his 15 great-grandchildren – Michael, Elena, Kassidy, Autumn, Mackenzie, Mason, Xander, Trestin, Pearce, Arias, Paiecey, Lexton, Greyson, Skylar, & Maevry; his brother, Ronnie Goshow (Barb) ; and his four sisters, Ruthanne Goshow, Mary Jane Yoder (Norman), Linda Derstine (Paul), Laurel Moyer (Phil) who all live locally. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Dennis Goshow. An informal gathering to meet with the family will be held on Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, 713 Blooming Glen Road, Blooming Glen, PA 18911 A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10:00 am at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, 713 Blooming Glen Road, Blooming Glen, PA 18911. A private inurnment will take place at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Penn Foundation, P.O. Box 32, 807 Lawn Ave, Sellersville, PA 18960 https://www.pennfoundation.org/make-a-gift-to-st-lukes-penn-foundation/ or Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, 713 Blooming Glen Road; P.O. Box 238, Blooming Glen, PA 18911 https://bgmc.net or Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 https://emu.edu/giving/ or Dock Mennonite Academy EC-8 Campus; ATTN: Kathy Gordon, 420 Godshall Rd, Souderton, PA 18964 https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/30449/donations/new Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, PA 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com.