Don Merton Goodrich

Don Merton Goodrich, beloved husband and father, passed away at age 87 on June 11, 2025. The son of Harold and Marie Goodrich, he was born in Cleghorn, Iowa on February 6, 1938. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Don met the love of his life, Mary Louise Pierce, at their mutual high school, Benson, and they married on August 27, 1960.

Don attended Iowa State University along with Mary Lou where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration in 1960 and then continued with his studies to earn a master’s degree in Industrial Psychology in 1962. Don immediately took a human resources position with the Cadillac Division of General Motors in Detroit, Michigan. He worked at the Cadillac factory and at the Cleveland Tank Automotive plant for four years. Don then transferred to the Allison Division of General Motors, initially in Cleveland and subsequently in Indianapolis in 1972 for the remainder of his career, consistently working in some managerial aspect of Salaried Personnel Administration.

While working and in retirement, Don enjoyed many hobbies. His major effort was put towards refinishing and restoring antique clock cases. He also built and operated radio-controlled planes and boats. Over a 15-year period, he restored a 1963 Austin Healey convertible which occupied the family garage for the duration of the project. Fishing for walleye was his favorite vacation pursuit, both in North Carolina with his father and at Lake Erie with his son.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Harold “Rocky” Goodrich and his mother, Marie (Gunderson) Goodrich. He is survived by sister Bonnie Carter and by his four children: Elizabeth Hoover (Steve), Catherine Halloran (Brian), Suzanne Goodrich, and David Goodrich as well as six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mary Lou passed away in February 2022 after 61 years of marriage and he sorely missed her companionship in his later years.

Don’s final days were made easier with support and assistance from the staff at Marquette Healthcare and with hospice care provided by Paradigm Health. His care in death has been entrusted to Leppart Mortuary, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org)