Rev. Paul L. Goering

Paul Louis Goering, 92, of Goshen, died on September 26, 2014, at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen. He was born May 15, 1922 in Moundridge, Kan., to Christian H. and Selma (Bachman) Goering. He was baptized on confession of faith at First Mennonite Church of Christian, Moundridge. He married Wilda Metzger September 13, 1952 at Marquand Chapel, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn. He was drafted as a conscientious objector into Civilian Public Service in 1943. His most significant assignment was serving as a staff aide in two state psychiatric hospitals in Howard, RI and Cleveland, Ohio. Upon discharge, he re-located to Washington DC and served from 1946-50 as Associate Director of the National Service Board for Religious Objectors and then as liaison to the Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pa. office. A 1948 graduate of Bethel College (Kan.), Paul went on to study at Yale Divinity School, where he received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1953. He served as pastor of three congregations - First Mennonite Church, Upland, Cal. from 1953-61; Lorraine Ave. Mennonite Church, Wichita, Kan., 1961-69; and Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen, 1969-78. From 1978-1992, he worked helping others with planned charitable giving as Central Regional Manager, The Mennonite Foundation, Goshen. In retirement, Paul served on the board of Greencroft Communities Foundation, Goshen; as a volunteer host at Menno-Hof, Shipshewana; and in various volunteer ministries at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen. Paul had several hobbies and interests. He loved music, church hymns, and playing the piano. He was active in peace and social justice issues. Inspired by the strong winds of his Kansas boyhood, he became a dedicated kite flyer in retirement. He is survived by Wilda along with three children, Kurt A. (Teresa) Goering, Phoenix, Ariz., Peter L. (Sara) Goering, Silver Spring, Md., and Paula J. (Gordon) Harms, Rochester, Minn.; four grandsons, Joel (Emily), Samuel, Adam, and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Waldo A. Goering and Robert C. Goering. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 11 at 1 p.m. at Eighth Street Mennonite Church with Pastor Brenda Paetkau officiating. Rev. Donald Steelberg, of Wichita, Kan., will deliver a tribute. A time for visiting will follow the service. Burial of his cremated remains will be at First Mennonite Church of Christian Cemetery, Moundridge, Kan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Mennonite Central Committee (www.mcc.org), a global non-profit organization that works in international relief, development, and peace.