John Goins

MOUNDS, Ill. -- John H. Goins, 93, of Mounds passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.

He was born Oct. 7, 1921, in Olmsted, Illinois, to the late Fred and Marie Goins. He grew up in Olmsted with his three brothers and three sisters.

John entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 19, 1942, and served until Dec. 13, 1945. He served in the 533rd Amphibian Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. He was awarded three Bronze Stars and served in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon. He departed the service as a first sergeant after World War II. He was a lifetime member of Mounds VFW Post 8891.

After serving in the military, John returned to Illinois and settled in Mounds. There he met his future wife, Bobbie Marie Fields; they married and began a life together, and raised three children. John and Bobbie owned and operated Goins Star Cleaners for 46 years before they retired. They played golf at the Egyptian Country Club for many years, and John served on the Country Club board.

John joined First United Methodist Church in Mounds in 1957 and remained a faithful member until his death. He served on the board of trustees for a number of years. He always sat on the left side of the sanctuary and would say he was "holding down the left side."

He loved to go to Smiles Nutrition Center in Mounds where he enjoyed eating, socializing with friends and playing cards.

John was a wonderful father and always had time for his family.

He is survived by one son, Jon Samuel (Holly) Goins of Mounds; and two daughters, Judy (Bill) Biggerstaff of Kansas City, Missouri, and Janet Palmer of Madison, Wisconsin. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Korbin Goins of Mounds, Dr. Tiffany (Jeff) Eye of Kansas City, Tamera Jone (Wes) Brown of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Dr. T.J. (Sharon) Palmer of Joplin, Missouri, Tisha Palmer of Trenton, New Jersey, Tad Palmer of Waunakee, Wisconsin, Tyler Palmer of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and Amy (Jeremy) Pickett of Mounds; six great-grandchildren, Brittany Ives, Trevor, Kaylynne and Brooklynn Palmer, all of Wisconsin, William Cooper Eye and Johnathan Bridger Eye of Kansas City; his sister, Betty Goins Crippen of Carbondale, Illinois; one brother, Bob Goins of Cobden, Illinois; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Bobbie; his parents, Fred and Marie Goins; two brothers, Pete and Jack; two sisters, Mary Johnson and Helen Gross; and a grandson, Timothy Palmer.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Mounds.

The funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Doug Atkins officiating. Interment will be in Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Illinois, with full military honors given by the Illinois National Guard Ritual Team and area veterans.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to First United Methodist Church of Mounds in Memory of John H. Goins.

To leave online condolences visit, www.jones-funeral.com.

Jones Funeral Home, Villa Ridge, is in charge of the arrangements.