Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Darlene Goodrich.
Darlene Barrett Goodrich of Crawfordsville passed away peacefully on April 18, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born January 23, 1931, in Hannibal, Missouri, to Cecil and Opal (Northcutt) Barrett, Darlene graduated from Hannibal High School in 1949.
Darlene received a business degree from Hannibal-LaGrange University. She worked at The Famous Dress Shop in Hannibal in sales and bookkeeping, was faculty secretary at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Stephens College in Missouri, secretary for the U.S. Signal Supply Service, Baltimore, Maryland, was Executive Assistant for Clyde Williams and Company, Columbus Ohio, and had her own antique business.
Darlene married her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, Howard Goodrich, on December 27, 1950, and they were married 73 years. She earned a BA from Drake University, M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary, was ordained in 1988 by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and completed 2 years of Chaplaincy training at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. She served as a loving chaplain to many HIV/Aids patients during the 1980s and pastored several congregations, as well as, serving as a co-regional minister with Howard in three church regions. She also served as a mission partner in several countries in Southern Africa, often teaching in their seminaries, worked in the anti-apartheid movement, was the Co-Interim Africa Executive for Global Ministries with Howard, and was a member of the International Commission of Inquiry in Lesotho, Africa.
Survivors include husband, Howard Goodrich; daughters, Tysa Goodrich, Darla (Mark Frank) Goodrich, and son, Scott (Elisabeth Mantello) Goodrich; sisters, Karen (Tom) Schulze, Marsha Kenison; 8 grandchildren, Mary (Safet), Kara, Terra, Andrew, Brant, Nicolas, Megan and Jamie; and 2 great grandchildren, Jonathan and Alexandra.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Linda Evans-Harper.
Darlene’s Memorial Service will be at First Christian Church, 211 S. Walnut Street, Crawfordsville, Indiana on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11:00 am with Rev. Kevin Toth and Rev. Dick Hamm officiating. Memorial gifts may be shared with First Christian Church, 211 S. Walnut Street, Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933 or Disciples Overseas Ministries, P.O. Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Messages of care may be sent to Howard at 403 Spruce Lane, Crawfordsville, 47933 or via email. Messages may also be sent to Darla at 1634 W Forest Drive, Crawfordsville, 47933 or via email. Online condolences can be left at Burkhart Funeral Home.