A.J. Goers

Aubrey J. (A.J.) Goers Godfrey – A.J. Goers, 85, died of leukemia at 5:20 p.m. on Good Friday, April 14, 2017 at Barnes Jewish Hospital with his family by his side. He was born on July 1, 1931 in Altamont, Illinois. He was the third son of Sam and Elfrieda Goers (nee Milleville). He was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Altamont. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a Sonarman, Second Class on the Destroyer Escort USS Spangler. He enjoyed a steady and lively friendship with many of his ship mates until the time of his death. After his military service he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in marketing. He retired from Hallmark Cards, Inc. after 24 years. An active member of the Lutheran and Episcopal churches during his entire life, he served on the building committees of Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Godfrey as well as Church Councils and Vestries and countless committees. For 20 years he served as Vice Chairman of the Southwest Illinois Clean Water board. On May 11, 1963 he married Sue Goers (nee Pinkerton) who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Julia Stiltner of Savannah, GA and a son, Matthew Goers (Bridget) of Dorsey, IL., 3 grandchildren; Thomas Stiltner of Charleston, SC, Brooke Stiltner Axtell (Danny) of Rapid City, SD, Sophie Goers of Glen Carbon, and one great granddaughter, Ariel Axtell. He and his wife enjoyed many years of travel including spending quality time in each of the 50 states. Taking up ballroom dancing at the age of 70, A.J. and Sue danced at least once a week for 15 years in the company of the wonderful dance community of Alton, Godfrey and North St. Louis County. Although he grew up in the Midwest, A.J. was in love with the sea and spent some part of every year enjoying the ocean and its bounty along the Carolina and Florida coasts. He loved hiking in the desert, and in the Illinois woods, fishing and the preparation for it, and hunting. He was a patriot who appreciated his freedoms, and worked to preserve them throughout his life. He had a kind word for everyone he met, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be at Gent Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00p.m. A Memorial Service will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. followed by full military honors by the VFW Post 1308. Father David Boase will officiate. Memorials may be made to Trinity Chapel Missionary Society, Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, or Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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A.J. Goers

July 1, 1931 - April 14, 2017