John Orville Goff

John Orville Goff of Robinson, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. John was born in Robinson, IL, on October 9, 1942, to John Orville Goff Sr. and Lula Ida (Sluder) Goff. He was the youngest of 11 children. John was a 1960 graduate of Robinson High School, where he played football for the Fighting Maroons. While attending RHS, his friends arranged a blind date at Bill Bobe’s Pizzeria in Vincennes, where he met Myra Lou Waldrop from neighboring Lawrenceville, IL. They were married for 57 years. John then attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.

He began his career as a sales representative for Pepsico in Robinson. After that, he became the owner of Western Auto in Robinson, which eventually became True Value Hardware. Following that, he became a sales representative for Dan Wachtel Ford and several others in Robinson. Later in life, he was welcomed into his work family at Silverthorne Chevrolet in Robinson, where he worked in the parts department for many years.

While very busy with his work and family life, John gave back to the community he loved so dearly, serving as an alderman on the Robinson City Council for 12 years, and as mayor of Robinson for four years from 1985 to 1989.

John was also a man of great faith. He attended and served as a deacon for Otterbein United Methodist Church in Robinson for over 50 years. He was also a local member of the Kiwanis Club and a Freemason with the Robinson Masonic Lodge, where he served as Past Master. He was a champion of youth sports in Robinson, volunteering his time as president of Babe Ruth baseball and serving as an umpire for 10 years.

John loved Fighting Illini basketball, Saint Louis Cardinals baseball, and the Chicago Bears. When the weather was favorable, John could often be found playing a round at Oak Glen Golf Course. He was a big fan of film as well, with the 007 and Jason Bourne series being his favorites.

Most of all, John loved his grandchildren, Kinsey East and Alex Goff. The apple of his eye was his great-granddaughter, Lana Goff. And of course, who could forget, his little dog, Willie.

He is survived by his children, Steve and Dawn Goff, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Jason Goff and Eric Johnson, Covington, IN; and Kristin Goff, Denver, CO; His grandchildren, Kinsey and Jordan East, Austin, TX; Alex and Leigha Goff, Las Vegas, NV; Niece Julie Decker, and her husband Gary Decker of Lawrenceville, IL; Sisters Opal Corder and Wilma Montgomery of Robinson, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Orville Goff Sr. and Lula Ida (Sluder) Goff, his wife Myra Lou Goff, and his son Richard Clark Goff.

A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A funeral service will immediately follow and will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.