David C. Goodman

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 2:35 p.m., Dave Goodman got a face to face audience with God. All glory to Him who made and sustained me. Let me say to anyone listening: “Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. For my Lord is my refuge and my sure defense and He will be my Savior.”

Dave was born on November 27, 1959 at 2:15 p.m., in Fond du Lac, the son of Gordon K. Goodman of Escanaba, MI and Elaine Ann (Mielke) Goodman of Fond du Lac. Dave went to school at Presentation and Horace Mann in North Fond du Lac, graduating in 1978.

In 1978, Dave was truly blessed to meet Catherine Ann Wicke, the night she started to work with him at Petrie’s Restaurant. He asked her out the first night and knew she was the one. On September 20 of 1980, when Cathy had graduated MPTI, they were married at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac, by Rev. Jim Bare (the first wedding he ever performed). For over 38 years, Dave was the happiest, luckiest man alive.

With a working life that included time as a cook, waiter, rag picker, and bouncer (and let’s not forget my last stint as “Keeper of the Cheese” on the frozen crew at Joe’s Fox Hut), life was never about financial riches, but we did manage to stay sleeping indoors and stay fed and entertained.

Dave tried to have a positive impact on all he worked with and served at Petrie’s, Goodwill, Oscar’s, George Webb’s and the Fox Hut. I also enjoyed my time on Good Shepherd’s Church Council. WLA’s Board was a blast.

There were three preachers in my life whose wise counsel had a timely and lasting impact and whose friendship meant a great deal to me. Father Bob Berghammer, Rev. Paul Metzger and Rev. Adam Zimpelmann.

Dave is survived by his darling wife, Cathy (Wicke) Goodman of Fond du Lac, his sisters: Joyce Kain of Fond du Lac, Deborah Heffner of Ironwood, MI, and Wendy (Tom) Skotarzak of North Fond du Lac; his brothers: Keith (Lena) Goodman of Green Bay, Kevin (Betty Pinno) Goodman of Fond du Lac and Glenn Goodman of Fond du Lac; and my “Adopted” little brother and sister Robert A. Wegele of Fond du Lac and Jenny “FengMei” (Roy) Fields of Fond du Lac.

Dave was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gordon and Elaine, his older brother, Royal and sister-in-law Candy Goodman, his older brother Gordon J. Goodman and brother in law Rudy Heffner, his in-laws, whose family he was lucky enough to marry into, Hugo and Charlotte Wicke, his fine brothers-in-law, the late Carl and Daniel Wicke.

Still here to help Cathy are her sister Ruth (Bill) Ebert, and the wonderful Ebert kids Andy (Kay) Ebert, Matt (Marianne) Ebert, and Linda Ebert with her sidekick Chip.

The Oscar acceptance speech would be incomplete without mentioning my wonderful nieces and nephews of the Goodman side, Roy’s kids Dan, Erin (Travis) Weber and Sara Lee Bartels, Joyce’s kids, Steve (Cheryl) Kain, and Michele Kain, Wendy’s kids Jeff (Liz) Skotarzak, and Lisa (Pete) Peterson, Gordy’s pair Derek Goodman and Beth Castor, Keith’s gang, Mike, Brianna, Shawn and Cami Goodman.

There’s another generation and a lot of friends but the band has started playing exit music and it is time to get off the stage. Thanks for your indulgence in reading this far.

One last message before I get the hook: My God is an awesome God. I will praise Him every day. He watches all my comings and goings. Surrender your life to Him and I’ll see you again someday. Goodbye for now. Catch you later. Love, Dave

VISITATION: Friends may call on Saturday, December 1, 2018, from 11:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac.

FUNERAL: Memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Brett Naumann and Rev. Adam Zimpelmann officiating. Inurnment will follow in Estabrooks Cemetery.

Memorials appreciated for Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church and WLA.

Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420