Joseph E. Goulet Jr.

Joseph E. Goulet Jr., 89 of Springfield died at 10:40 a.m. on Monday, February 06, 2006 at St. John's Hospital. Joseph was born February 5, 1917 in Springfield, the son of Joseph Edward Sr. and Clara M. Neef Goulet. He married Cecelia O’Brien in June 1943; she preceded him in death in 1981. Joseph was the fifth child of seven brothers and sisters. He was a former 1st Lt. of the U.S. Army serving in the 2nd Calvary, 146th Infantry during WW II. He received the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theater Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. The Army was an important part of his life. He attended Officer Candidate School, was a former POW and went to Europe after D-Day. He was the head photographer for Allis-Chalmers, retiring after 32 years. In the 50’s and 60’s, Joseph was a wedding photographer for the Springfield area. He was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church for 60 years and a member and past president of the Springfield Ski & Boat Club. Joseph was a woodworker and built the home he lived in for 58 years. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and a former Eagle Scout. Joseph loved to grow tomatoes in his garden and got great satisfaction from feeding birds and squirrels. He was preceded in death by his parents; fours sisters; one brother and one daughter, Donna (Goulet) Smith. He is survived by one daughter, Barbara (husband, Charles) (Goulet) Knecht of Taylorville; two sons: Joseph E. Goulet III (wife, Betsy) of Springfield and Kurt Goulet of Dallas, TX; one brother Bernard (wife Barbara,) Goulet of Springfield; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Prayer service will begin at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2125 N. 21st St., Springfield, with Rev. Donald Meehling celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. The family of Joseph E. Goulet Jr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.