Rita Kathryn Green Gooden

Rita Kathryn Green Gooden, 62, of Springfield, died at 6:09 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at her home. Rita was born February 28, 1953 in Taylorville, the daughter of Raymond and Evelyn Himstedt Green. She married Joseph E. Gooden on June 20, 1998 in Springfield. Rita was a graduate of Taylorville High School and Milliken University and began her nursing career at Decatur Memorial Hospital. She also worked as a nurse at St. John's Hospital for over 30 years and at Prairie Heart Center in the Cath Lab. Rita was a member of the YMCA and enjoyed movies, reading, spending time with her grandchildren, vacationing on Sanibel Island, and taking care of pets, especially Vic, named after the location of her first date with Joe. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Joe Gooden of Springfield; stepdaughters, Laurel (husband, Terry) Castleman of Chatham, Christina (husband, Mark) Norman of Wentzville, MO, and Molly Jo Gooden of Springfield; grandchildren, Micah, Caleb and Isabelle Norman, all of Wentzville, MO; brother, Brian (wife, Pam) Green of Shelbyville; and several aunts, including Kathryn Tippet, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and her special friend Barbara Kling and her family. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will host a Celebration of Life at the Inn at 835, 835 S. 2nd St., Springfield, immediately following the cemetery committal ceremony. Memorial contributions may be made to: Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Dr., Springfield, IL 62702, Cherry Hills Baptist Church, 2125 Woodside Rd., Springfield, IL 62711, or iWorshipCenter, 3200 Shaler Rd., Springfield, IL 62707.