Milton Merl Goering
Milton Merl Goering, 86, died Thursday (Oct. 15, 2009) at
Moundridge Memorial Home in Moundridge. He was born on Oct. 12, 1923, on a farm
south of McPherson, the son of Asta (Wedel) and Jacob P. Goering. He married
Darlene (Frey Sawatzky) on Nov. 29, 1997. When he died, Milton was a member of
the First Mennonite Church in McPherson, where he had served as head deacon and
chairman of the church. He previously attended and was chairman of Lorraine
Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita. During his childhood, he attended Eden
Mennonite Church in Moundridge.
He was a 1950 graduate of Bethel College in North Newton,
where his studies were interrupted by alternative service as a conscientious
objector during World War II. He also received a master's degree in physical
education from Wichita State University in 1957. He received post-graduate
degrees from Ohio State University in 1961 and Kansas State University in 1967.
Upon graduation from Bethel College, Milton coached men's
football and women's basketball during his nine-year employment at Bethel and
became its director of athletics. Later in life, Bethel College installed him
into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 1963, he became head guidance counselor at Wichita East
High School. He served as dean of students at Bethel College (1968-70) and
McPherson College (1970-78). In 1978, he became the first director of
McPherson's new senior center.
Milton's life was marked by significant community service,
including part-time and full-time stints with Mennonite Central Committee,
Habitat for Humanity, Amnesty International and Mennonite Disaster Service. He
served on the Moundridge Memorial Home Board of Directors.
Milton is survived by his wife Darlene (Frey Sawatzky)
Goering; brother, Myron Goering of McPherson; sister, Wilma Krehbiel of
McPherson; daughter, Susan of Baltimore, Md.; sons, David of Lawrence, Dean of
Kansas City, Mo., Mark of Modesto, Calif., and Steven of Burke, Va.; and seven
grandchildren, Eric, Ann, Joseph, Austin, Justin, John and Theo. Surviving
stepchildren are Dan, Dwight and Duane Sawatzky.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margy (Rickert)
Goering; sisters, Marie Schrag, Elma Goering, Celia Goering and Viola Goering;
and stepson, David Sawatzky.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Moundridge
Funeral Home, 115 E. Cole in Moundridge, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m.
There will be a private burial service. The funeral service
will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at First Mennonite Church, Maxwell and Avenue A in
McPherson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to
Mennonite Central Committee, 121 30th Ave., North Newton, KS 67117-7801.
