F. Wendell Gooch

Dillman-Scott Funeral Home F Wendell Gooch, 82, Bloomington, IN, formerly of Paoli, passed away Saturday, March 21, in Bloomington, IN He was born in Wright City, Missouri on December 3, 1932 to Lyndell Franklin and Lois Ion Morris Gooch. He married Helen Mary Willis on June 5, 1955 and she survives. Wendell was a graduate of University of Missouri School of Business and Public Administration. Wendell and his family moved to Paoli from LaGrange, Illinois in 1981, when he purchased the Paoli Newspapers from Mr. and Mrs. John Riley and he owned the newspapers until 1997. Prior to moving to Paoli, Wendell was the executive vice president of Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, Illinois. Wendell was the executive chairman of the board for Harris Trust of Arizona, a trustee of SEI Assets Allocation Trust, of STI Portfolio Funds, HSBC Advisory Fund Trust and of SBC Advisory Trust.  He was also an independent trustee of Ridgework Variable Trust and a board member of Methodist Home Young Life Committee LT. Locally Wendell was the Chairman of Finance for the First Chance Center of Paoli, and an early and sustaining member of the Habitat for Humanity.  He was also recognized by the Indiana House of Representatives for his generosity and outstanding service to Orange County in 2005. Wendell was on the board of the Orange County Community Foundation and was instrumental in the initial establishment of the Foundation in 1996.  He was chosen as the foundation’s first Philanthropist of the Year in 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Peter Grider. Survivors include: Wife:       Helen Gooch                                                                           Bloomington, IN Sons:        Lyndell Gooch and wife Donna                                           Louisville, KY Wendell Gooch and partner Stephen Bognar                  Chicago, IL Daughters: Deborah Howard and husband Bobby                                  Conroe, TX Kris Simmerman and husband James                                    Mitchell, IN Also surviving Wendell are four grandchildren:  Jacob Fee, Ryan Fee, Toby Simmerman, and Kirstan Gooch. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 PM, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the Paoli Mennonite Church, Paoli, IN with funeral to follow at 6:00 PM with Phil and Mary Mininger officiating.  Interment to follow Wednesday, March 25, 2015 in Wright, Missouri at the Wright City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions can be made to the F Wendell Gooch Fund or the Orange County Habitat for Humanity Fund through the Orange County Community Foundation. Online Condolences may be made at Dillman-Scott Funeral Home.Com