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Fred C. Goodman, age 91, of New Bethlehem, passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus, Friday, January 20, 2012, at the Brookville Hospital.

Born September 6, 1920, in Rimersburg, he was a son of the late Clarence and Christina Stewart Goodman.

He was a 1938 graduate of Union High School.

Fred was a World War II veteran. He served in the United States Army from 1940 to 1945, during which time he honorably served his country as an airplane mechanic. He was stationed in Africa and England. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and began working as a mechanic at the Ford garage in Rimersburg and later moved to the Ford garage in Kittanning. In later years, he worked for the late Dr. Roger Shore, MD.

On August 14, 1948, in New Bethlehem, he married the former Roberta Jean English. Thus beginning a marriage that lasted 63 years and was characterized by sacrifice and dedication to one another.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of New Bethlehem and will be remembered for his lifetime membership and service to the New Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Company. For 65 years, he was a member of the Walter W. Craig Post #354 of the American Legion, also in New Bethlehem.

Fred had a great passion for his family and especially enjoyed camping and spending time at his summer camp on the Allegheny River in Rimer, Armstrong County. He was an avid fan of the Steelers, Penguins and Penn State.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Jean; his son, Douglas C. Goodman and wife, Trudy, of York PA; his daughter, Claudia J. Wiant and her husband, Sam, of Fairmount City; four granddaughters: Kristen Glass and her husband Daniel, Keli Goodman, Kadie Yates and her husband Ryan and Kimberly Brandt and her husband Bill; three great grandsons; Jonah Glass, Jacob Glass and Josiah Brandt.

Also surviving is a brother, Glenn Goodman, of Poquoson, VA; a sister-in-law, Mary Goodman Steger of IL and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Goodman and two sisters, Helen Stroupe and Jean Schmader.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2012, at the Rupert Funeral Home, 301 Penn Street, New Bethlehem.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday, January, 24, 2012, in the funeral home, with Reverend Joe Short, a pastor of the Redbank Valley United Methodist Ministry, officiating.

Interment will follow in the New Bethlehem Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given in Fred’s name to the New Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Company, 425 Arch Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242 and/or the First United Methodist Church, 234 Penn Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242.

Online condolences may be sent to Fred’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com
A fireman’s service will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, in the funeral home, by the members of the New Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Company.