Goering, Paul Louis (1922-2014)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2014 Oct 13 p. 21

Birth date: 1922 May 15

Text of obituary:

Paul L. Goering

Paul Louis Goering, 92, of Goshen, Ind., died Sept. 26, 2014, at Greencroft Healthcare. He was born May 15, 1922, to Christian H. and Selma (Bachman) Goering in Moundridge, Kan.

He was baptized on confession of faith at First Mennonite Church of Christian, Moundridge.

He married Wilda Metzger on Sept. 13, 1952, at Marquand Chapel at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn.

He was drafted as a conscientious objector into Civilian Public Service in 1943. He served as an aide in psychiatric hospitals in Howard, R. I., and Cleveland, Ohio. Upon discharge, he moved to Washington, D. C., and served from 1946 to 1950 as associate director of the National Service Board for Religious Objectors and then as liaison to Mennonite Central Committee.

A 1948 graduate of Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., he went on to study at Yale Divinity School, where he received a bachelor of divinity degree in 1953. He served as pastor of First Mennonite Church, Upland, Calif., 1953-61; Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, Kan., 1961-69; and Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen, 1969-78. From 1978 to 1992, he was central regional manager of Mennonite Foundation, Goshen.

In retirement, he served on the board of Greencroft Communities Foundation, Goshen; as a volunteer host at Menno-Hof, Shipshewana, Ind.; and in various volunteer ministries at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen.

He loved music, hymns and playing the piano. He was active in peace and social justice issues.

Survivors include his wife, Wilda; three children, Kurt A. Goering and his wife, Teresa, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Peter L. Goering and his wife, Sara, of Silver Spring, Md., and Paula J. Harms and her husband, Gordon, of Rochester, Minn.; and four grandsons.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Waldo A. Goering and Robert C. Goering.

Memorial services were held at Eighth Street Mennonite Church. Burial of his cremains will be in First Mennonite Church of Christian cemetery, Moundridge, Kan.