MISSOURI'S OLDEST WWI VET DIES: HAP GOODMAN

SCOTT CITY -- Elves Leslie "Hap" Goodman, 105, of Scott City, believed to be the oldest World War I veteran in the state of Missouri, died Friday, May 12, 2000, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 26, 1894, in Carmi, Ill., son of William Edward and Cornelia Ann Kisner Goodman. He and Ethel Viola Young were married July 14, 1923, at Jackson. She died Aug. 1, 1963.

Goodman came to Fornfelt in 1920 and had been an alderman. He was a fireman with Cotton Belt Railroad from 1920 until retiring in 1962. He also established Goodman Lumber Co. in 1946.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Scott City and was the oldest member of Louis K. Juden American Legion Post in Cape Girardeau.

Goodman was in the U.S. Army from 1916-1920, serving in the 5th, 14th and 304th Field Artillery Units at Fort Dix, N.J., and Fort Sill, Okla., during World War I.

Survivors include three sons, Bill L. Goodman of Jefferson City, James R. "Bob" Goodman of Scott City, Joe Goodman of Perryville; two daughters, Virginia Dahms of Cape Girardeau, Janet Bockting of St. Charles; 19 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, three brothers, a sister and two grandchildren.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City after 4 p.m. Sunday.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with the Rev. Terry Eades officiating. Burial will be in Lightner Cemetery.