Aug.
28, 1923 - Dec. 9, 2009SOUTH BEND - Howard R. Goodhew, Jr., 86 years old, died peacefully December 9, 2009 in South Bend. He was born August 28, 1923 in Manitowoc, WI to the late Clara (Drumm) and Walter Goodhew, Sr. and was a 1941 graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marie (Walter) Goodhew; sister, Carol Goodhew of South Bend; brother, Wallace Goodhew (Shirley) of Granger, IN; his five children, Bill Goodhew of Ithaca, NY, Jim Goodhew (Nancy) of Granger, Mark Goodhew of South Bend, Laurie Schuster Meyer (Daryl) of Goshen, and Janice Bell (Pat) of Midlothian, VA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Matt Schuster, Adam Schuster, and Mari Schuster, Matt Meyer (Erin), Nick Meyer, and Leah Meyer, Katie Goodhew and Paige Goodhew, Elise Bell and Jared Bell, Grace Goodhew, Morgan Goodhew, and Renae Goodhew; and was preceded in death by granddaughter, Kayla Bell. Howard R. Goodhew, Jr. served as a staff sergeant in the U. S. Army during World War II. Assigned to the Pacific Theater, he saw action on Okinawa and earned a Bronze Battle Star and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. Howard began his career with The Ridge Company in 1939, purchased the company in 1953, and served as President, CEO, and most recently as Chairman of the Board. He also developed High Pointe Estates and West Point Estates subdivisions in South Bend and was a co-developer of St. Paul's Retirement Community in South Bend. Howard was a distinguished leader in the automotive after market receiving many state and national awards. An active Republican, he ran for mayor of South Bend on three occasions and served as Superintendent of the South Bend Water Works. A community volunteer and leader, Howard served on many boards including the South Bend Community School Corporation, the South Bend Public Library, Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph County Parks Foundation, the South Bend Civic Planning Association, St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, TRIAD/SALT, and the Better Business Bureau. In addition he served on the Indiana Local Property Tax Board. Among his numerous awards, Howard was the first recipient of the Fishgrund Rotary Community Service Award, inducted into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame and was made a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1976 by Governor Otis Bowen and in 1984 by Governor Robert Orr. His many and varied interests included gardening, fishing, woodworking, jewelry design, reading, and antique tool collecting. He will be remembered as a community leader, volunteer, and proud patriot and will be dearly missed by family and friends. Friends may gather with the family and celebrate Howard's life from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 13th in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. Private graveside services will be held at a later date at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation, P.O. Box 2971, South Bend, IN, 46680-2971. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com.