Mahlon P. Goodwin died at age 94 on December 18, 2009, after a brief illness. Mahlon was born May 16, 1915, near Greenleaf, ID, to Julius C. and Louise (Tidgwell) Goodwin. He grew up in the Boise valley and graduated from Caldwell High School. He served in the U. S. Navy beginning in June, 1941, and was stationed on the USS Whitney throughout his military career. He arrived at Pearl Harbor on November 17, 1941. He witnessed the attack on December 7, 1941, and participated in the search for and recovery of those injured and killed.
On November 10, 1944, Mahlon married the love of his life, Nellie “Ruth” Bane. They lived in Boise and Meridian, ID, until 1980 when they moved to Salem, OR, residing first in Salemtowne and then at Capital Manor.
Mahlon worked for the Idaho Department of Transportation for over 30 years -- and then served as a volunteer for the Willamette chapter of the American Red Cross for 18 years. He enjoyed many hobbies including golfing, woodworking, gardening, writing his memoir, auctioneering, fishing and crabbing, traveling, and amusing his friends and family with jokes and stories of his life and times. He was a Mason and faithful member of First Methodist Church in Boise and First Methodist Church in Salem.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mark T. Goodwin, in-laws John and Rosa (Pare) Bane, Edith (Bane) and Mike Hughes, Gene Williams, and great-grandson Fletcher Ganz. He will be forever cherished by his beloved Ruth of Capital Manor; daughter Carol and son-in-law Bud Raabe of Colorado Springs, CO; grandsons John Ganz, his wife Jill, daughters Finley and Somerset of Union, ME; Jason Ganz, his wife Heather, son Jess, of Boise, ID; Todd Raabe, sons Tanner and Trevor of Parker, CO; and family members Harry Bane, Alex Reichstadt, Joanne (Bane) Campbell, Margaret (Bane) and Mac Ramsey, and Blanche (Bane) Williams, as well as by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Mahlon’s life will be celebrated by family and friends this summer at Willamette National Cemetery where he will be interred. Ruth, Carol and Bud thank the residents and staff of Capital Manor for their love, care, and support. Memorial contributions may be made in Mahlon’s memory on behalf of the Willamette chapter of the American Red Cross and Willamette Valley Hospice. Virgil T. Golden is handling arrangements.