James A. Goering,
James Alfred Goering, 79, of 7387 Horeb Church Road, Dayton, Virginia, passed away on May 31, 2012 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient for a week.
He was born on April 29, 1933 in McPherson County, KS to the late John B. and Jessie Schrag Goering.
On October 16, 1959, he married the former Ida Lois Heatwole who survives. He is also survived by five sons, James (Bonnie) Goering of Bridgewater, VA, Samuel (Angela) Goering of Dayton, VA, Nathan (Marlene) Goering of Waynesboro, GA, David Goering and John Ralph Goering both of Dayton, VA; two daughters, Kathy (Steve) Rhodes of Harrisonburg, VA and Regina (Fred) Knicely of Gladys, VA, and twenty five grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, John (Orletta) Goering of Oregon, Leonard (Delores) Goering of Kansas, Harry (Rosie) Goering of California; two sisters, Martha Sundgren of Kansas and Joan (Tony) Epp of Oklahoma; and sisters-in-law, Rosie Brandt of Kansas and Hildred Goering of North Carolina, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by eight brothers, Walt, Al, Bill, Dan, Herb, Art, Ralph, and Larry; two sisters, Elva and Frieda, and one grandson, Jeremy Goering.
A 20 years of age, Jim accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. He was ordained to the ministry in 1969 and served as a pastor in a number of congregations. He was a member of the Peake Mennonite Church. He taught at Mathias High School, Bridgewater College, Berea Christian School, and at Bible Schools. He was also a poultry farmer.
Ministers of the church, Nathan Horst, John Risser, Elam Heatwole, and Charles Heatwole will conduct a funeral service at the Bank Mennonite Church on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Bank Mennonite Church.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.
McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is in charge of arrangements.