Ray & Grace Goodman
August 2nd, 1925 - October 25th, 2025
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Ray & Grace's Obituary
Grace Goodman, 95 years old, and Raymond Goodman, 100 years old died peacefully in their sleep at Woodland Terrace in St. Joseph, Michigan on the weekend of October 25th and 26th. Ray and Grace were married to each other for 75 wonderful years.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service and visitation will be held on Saturday, November 15 at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, Michigan. Visitation will be at noon, followed by a memorial service at 1:00. A fellowship lunch will take place immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations for Grace can be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, Michigan. Grace had many happy memories of her time at St. Paul’s. Donations for Ray can be made to the St. Joseph Municipal Band through the city of St. Joseph. Ray loved those concerts and attended them throughout his life. Those wishing to sign Ray & Grace’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Grace was born on April 27, 1930 to Rocco and Thresa Varacalli in Herrin, Illinois. She grew up in a coal mining family with deep Catholic roots with a younger brother and sister, Nicholas and Gloria. Grace attended the local Catholic school through 8th grade and then graduated in 1948 from Herrin High School. She met her future husband, Raymond in Herrin and they were married in 1950. They ended up living in South Bend, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio, before settling in St. Joseph, Michigan where they spent the rest of their life.
Raymond was born on August 2, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised by his Uncle Solly and Aunt Emily Schubach. He had an older brother and sister, Simon and Frederica who were raised by other family members. Raymond attended Purdue and received his degree in Aeronautical Engineering and then was drafted into the Army Air Force. After his discharge he had various jobs in the engineering field before landing at Whirlpool, where he spent the rest of his career. While working at Whirlpool, he earned his master’s degree from Michigan State University.
Grace was a stay at home mother for her four children, but later on, went back to school and earned her Bachelor's and Master’s of Arts from Western Michigan University. She was rightfully very proud of this and enjoyed her time with the American Association of University Women. She was the 1991 Krasl Art Center volunteer of the year. She was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education. Grace also spent time working in the Benton Harbor elementary schools and was loved by all the students and parents that she came in contact with.
Raymond was the director of engineering for the Laundry Group at Whirlpool and has many patents attached to his name. He is part of a mural that is displayed in the headquarters of Whirlpool honoring his contributions to the company. After retirement, he joined a group of friends that he affectionately called his coffee group. He always looked forward to getting together with his friends, first at Dale's Donuts and later in the upstairs area at the Stevensville Martin's.
They are survived by their 3 sons Paul, Robert (Bernie), and Richard (Jan), 5 grandchildren Mary (Teresa), Leslie, Charles, Richie, and Michael and one great grandchild Rita. They were preceded in death by their daughter Terry and grandson David.
The family would like to thank the staff at Woodland Terrace, St. Joseph, for their care and compassion for our parents and our family. Our thanks also go out to Gentiva Hospice for their kindness and support in the final chapter of their lives.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service and visitation will be held on Saturday, November 15 at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, Michigan. Visitation will be at noon, followed by a memorial service at 1:00. A fellowship lunch will take place immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations for Grace can be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, Michigan. Grace had many happy memories of her time at St. Paul’s. Donations for Ray can be made to the St. Joseph Municipal Band through the city of St. Joseph. Ray loved those concerts and attended them throughout his life. Those wishing to sign Ray & Grace’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Grace was born on April 27, 1930 to Rocco and Thresa Varacalli in Herrin, Illinois. She grew up in a coal mining family with deep Catholic roots with a younger brother and sister, Nicholas and Gloria. Grace attended the local Catholic school through 8th grade and then graduated in 1948 from Herrin High School. She met her future husband, Raymond in Herrin and they were married in 1950. They ended up living in South Bend, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio, before settling in St. Joseph, Michigan where they spent the rest of their life.
Raymond was born on August 2, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised by his Uncle Solly and Aunt Emily Schubach. He had an older brother and sister, Simon and Frederica who were raised by other family members. Raymond attended Purdue and received his degree in Aeronautical Engineering and then was drafted into the Army Air Force. After his discharge he had various jobs in the engineering field before landing at Whirlpool, where he spent the rest of his career. While working at Whirlpool, he earned his master’s degree from Michigan State University.
Grace was a stay at home mother for her four children, but later on, went back to school and earned her Bachelor's and Master’s of Arts from Western Michigan University. She was rightfully very proud of this and enjoyed her time with the American Association of University Women. She was the 1991 Krasl Art Center volunteer of the year. She was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education. Grace also spent time working in the Benton Harbor elementary schools and was loved by all the students and parents that she came in contact with.
Raymond was the director of engineering for the Laundry Group at Whirlpool and has many patents attached to his name. He is part of a mural that is displayed in the headquarters of Whirlpool honoring his contributions to the company. After retirement, he joined a group of friends that he affectionately called his coffee group. He always looked forward to getting together with his friends, first at Dale's Donuts and later in the upstairs area at the Stevensville Martin's.
They are survived by their 3 sons Paul, Robert (Bernie), and Richard (Jan), 5 grandchildren Mary (Teresa), Leslie, Charles, Richie, and Michael and one great grandchild Rita. They were preceded in death by their daughter Terry and grandson David.
The family would like to thank the staff at Woodland Terrace, St. Joseph, for their care and compassion for our parents and our family. Our thanks also go out to Gentiva Hospice for their kindness and support in the final chapter of their lives.
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