Wanda Mae Goodpaster

Wanda Mae (Seiber) Goodpaster was born on January 10, 1949, in Dayton, Ohio, to Rufus and Callie Mae (Ridenour) Seiber. Wanda grew up outside of Dayton in Franklin, Ohio, where her love of education and knowledge grew as she did. She graduated from Franklin High School in the Spring of 1967 and began a job at Murphy’s Mart working at the candy counter, where she would meet the love of her life, John Louis Goodpaster. The two instantly fell in love and quickly married on December 30, 1967. They welcomed their first child, John Mark Goodpaster, into the world in October 1968, and three years later, welcomed their second child, Amy Beth Goodpaster, in October 1971. During those years, she was not only a wife and mother but also worked her way through college, becoming the first in her family to attend and graduate. Wanda graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in education and became an inspiration to all around her. With her degree, she went on to be an exceptional teacher in Centerville Public Schools for nearly thirty years, where she touched the lives of countless staff, students, and families. Her love of education was something so integral to who she was and was passed on to all of her children and grandchildren. Specifically, her daughter Amy Beth Goodpaster, grandchildren Adam Charles Goodpaster and Emma Grace Morgan, and younger sister Patricia Evelyn (Seiber) Bouton, all of whom went on to continue her legacy in education.

Wanda was known to all as the picture of a godly woman. She had a silent type of strength that couldn’t go unnoticed. She loved God and her family more than anything else in this world, and that was evident to all who knew her in any aspect of life. Her faith brought not only her own family to God, but also countless others. She not only spoke the Word of God - she truly lived it out in every moment, even the difficult ones. In her free time, she could be found going for a walk, bike ride, or creating someone’s new favorite dessert. She cherished the little moments and would have never missed any moment that meant something to her family - and most definitely never missed a moment for her grandchildren, whether it was an all-day ball tournament or dance competition.

Wanda is survived by her husband, John Louis Goodpaster; her children, John Mark (Rhonda) Goodpaster and Amy Beth Goodpaster; her grandchildren, John Andrew (Macie) Goodpaster, Adam Charles Goodpaster, Emma Grace Morgan, Abigail Marie Goodpaster, and Rachel Beth Morgan; her great-grandchildren, John Cole Goodpaster and Karlie Jade Goodpaster; and her siblings, Wanetta Seiber, David Charles (Missy) Seiber, and Patricia Evelyn (Frank) Bouton. She is also survived by numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Callie Mae (Ridenour) and Rufus Seiber; her baby brother, Benjamin Charles Seiber; as well as her beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation service to honor Wanda’s legacy will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home in Franklin, Ohio. A funeral and burial service will follow on Monday, June 30, 2025, at

Hillcrest Baptist Church in Carlisle, Ohio, at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio. In place of flowers, Wanda’s family asks that children’s books be donated at the service as a way to continue her legacy and love of literature and education for future generations. These books will be donated and dispersed among the schools where her surviving family members have worked or are currently working.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

- John 14:1-3