Patricia Goheen

Patricia Ann (Mannz) Goheen passed away at home on May 8, 2021 after a brief illness.  She was born on June 18, 1941 in Belleville, IL to Ione Mannz (nee Ardison) and Wilmer Theodor Mannz and grew up in O’Fallon, IL.  She attended college at Southern Illinois University in E. St. Louis where she studied education.  She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Goheen, on October 14, 1961 and they lived in Champaign-Urbana, IL while he attended college.  They moved several times, living in Germany, O’Fallon, Suriname, Mobile, AL, and Murraysville, PA, before eventually settling in Benton, AR where they have resided for the past 35 years.

Pat is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Richard Henry Goheen, their two children, Christopher Goheen (Susanna) and Angela Thennes.  She is Nanny to her four grandchildren Anthony Natale (Nathalie), Bethany Thennes, Jennifer Golobic (Stephen), and Michael Goheen, and her three great-grandchildren, A.J. and Maximo Natale and Zoe Golobic. She is preceded in death by her son Robert Jacob Henry Goheen (Jake).  She is survived by her brother Ron Mannz (Sandy), her sister-in-law Ruth McClintock (Roger), sister-in-law Velma Finnern (Roger), and also by her nephew & nieces, Mike Mannz (Shannon), Andrea Marshall (Andy).  Roger S. McClintock (Mary Beth), Susan McClintock, Robb McClintock (Ulla) Sara Angleton (Paul), Mike Finnern (Debbie), Geoffrey Finnern (Laurie).

Although Pat never completed a formal advanced degree, she exhibited a lifelong joy of learning.  She had a vast array of interests including reading, studying history and politics, gardening, cooking, bird-watching, shopping, collecting antiques and traveling.  You could always find her listening to the radio or television, especially current events and occasionally stand-up comedy.  Family and friends were extremely important to her.  She loved spending time with them and was particularly adept at giving gifts.  She stayed in touch with several high school friends, particularly Alan and Judy Swope and Pat (Davis) Vollmer.  She loved to visit her three aunts who were scattered across the country.  One of Pat’s beloved memories was visiting northern Italy, especially Campo Canavese (twice), a small town in northern Italy from where her family emigrated. Another highlight was meeting the Clintons soon after moving to Arkansas.   She also enjoyed attending the Hot Springs Film Festival several times.

One of Pat’s greatest gifts was her ability to instantly connect to others from all walks of life. It was not uncommon for her to meet a stranger and walk away with a friend in just a few hours.  She was a phenomenal storyteller with a wry sense of humor.  She was warm and inviting and so many people were touched by her energy and enthusiasm for life.  We were endlessly entertained by her and her empathy and advice will be missed tremendously.   She was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Benton.

A memorial service will be held Saturday June 12th at 1pm at Smith-Benton Funeral Home.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to either Benton First United Methodist Church (www.fumcbenton.org) or National Public Radio (npr.org).   Family will hold a graveside service, under the direction of Williamson Funeral Home, at Asburry Cemetery in Jacksonville, Illinois on Friday, November 26, at 1:00 PM.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.