C. Goodwin

Coal Valley, Illinois
Thomas Goodwin, 81, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Saturday, May 16, 2009, in Trinity Pathway Hospice at Terrace Park, Bettendorf, Iowa.
Services are 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Tim Snart officiating. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday. Burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery, where the American Legion Post #246, Moline, will present military honors. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Coal Valley, where he was an active member, or Pathway Hospice.
Thomas Chris Goodwin was born September 7, 1927, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Charles Sidney and Mary Retta (Starr) Goodwin. He married Ruth Erlenbush on May 9, 1947, in Washington, Iowa. She died October 30, 2008.
Tom served in the United States Navy during World War II on the USS Louisville in Okinawa and the Philippines. He worked for Sexton Ford as a mechanic for several years before working for Miller Container for over 30 years, retiring in 1988.
Tom enjoyed golfing, fishing, and was very skilled in woodworking and ceramics, winning ?Best of Show? in most contests he entered. His most remarkable projects were the grandfather clock he crafted for his daughter, Sarah, and the Taylor Craft plane he restored with his daughter, Cindy. Above all else, he treasured chauffeuring and spending time with his grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Homebound Health Care, especially Daphne, and Pathway Hospice, especially Angel, for their wonderful care.
Tom is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Philip Laxton of Moline, and Sarah and David Schafer of Sherrard, grandchildren, Jeffrey and Michelle Laxton, Andrew and Nicole Laxton, Stephanie and Brent Rueb, and Samantha and Jason Cochuyt, great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jenna, Morgan, Lacey, and Drew Laxton, and Owen Rueb, and many nieces and nephews including John C. James of Coal Valley. He was preceded in death by brothers, William, Max, and Warren ?Skip? Goodwin, and a sister, June James.
The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Tom?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com