Dave Lee Goff

Dave was born in Galesburg, Illinois at the original St. Mary’s Hospital on the corner of Cherry Street and Tompkins on July 27, 1931 to Jesse L. and Martha (McDowell) Goff.

Dave attended the Washington Edition School, Silas Willard Elementary and Lombard Jr. High. He graduated from Galesburg Senior High School in 1949.

He spent most of his childhood summers on his grandparent’s farm tending to strawberries.

After graduation, Dave enlisted in the United States Navy, where he became a Quartermaster and Signalman aboard the U.S.S. Neptune ARC2. The ship’s responsibility was to lay cable out to sea that could detect underwater and surface vessels.

He married Joyce Eleanor Landon on July 5, 1953. She died November 28, 2022 in Galesburg. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Linda Lou and a stillborn brother, Benjamin Vaughn.

Surviving are three children, Nancy M. Goff, Dean L. (Dana Humes) Goff and Steven R. Goff; three grandchildren, Kristen M. Goff, Katie (Matt) Pontifex and David L. (Stephanie) Goff and seven great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Emerson, Ellie, Ava, Brooklyn, Aubrey and Daxton.

Dave coached Little League Baseball for six years and the Babe Ruth League for two years. Forever sports minded, he continued a lifelong passion for golf after playing for the Galesburg High School Golf Team.

His best round of golf was a two under par and he once made a hole-in-one on Bracken’s number 11. He was a member of Lake Bracken Country Club for nearly 50 years, where he played almost every day following retirement.

Dave enjoyed swimming and picnicking with family and friends while living at Lake Bracken. He was an avid Bridge player and engaged in many games of Pitch with his buddies at the clubhouse.

He had worked as a Brick Mason for over 30 years before retiring in 1985.

Following retirement, Dave and Joyce traveled often to Texas in the cooler months visiting friends. While he was relaxing at home, he could be found watching baseball and golf, reading war stories, whistling old tunes and listening to Herb Albert albums.

However, he preferred finding enjoyment in the outdoors splitting logs, blowing leaves or in his hammock sipping Canadian Club.

A gathering celebrating both Dave and Joyce’s lives will be Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lake Bracken Country Club dining room. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to Knox County Humane Society, 1855 Windish Drive, Galesburg, Illinois 61401.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com