Jerome Dean Goering, 63, was born at Moundridge Mercy Hospital in Moundridge, KS on September 21, 1959 to Homer and Dorothy (Ewert) Goering. He went to be with the Lord on February 28, 2023.
Jerome was the third of six boys. As a boy, he enjoyed bicycles, motorcycles and swimming in the pond. He was a part of a Boy Scout Troop. He was a conscientious worker.
Jerome attended school in Moundridge and graduated from Moundridge High School in 1978. He was athletic. He enjoyed lifting weights, and he participated in football, basketball and track in high school. He held Moundridge High School’s pole vault record for approximately twenty years. Jerome also took many Industrial Arts classes in high school, including classes in small engines, welding, and woodworking.
He graduated from Bethel College in North Newton in 1982 with an Associate of Arts degree in Agriculture and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Religion. Jerome met Vicki Govan at Bethel College. She was his special friend and prayer partner for over 40 years.
As an adult, work continued to remain important to Jerome. After his college graduation, he served with Voice of Calvary Ministries in Jackson, MS from 1982-1984, working for the John Perkins Foundation.
Jerome’s places of employment, following his two years of mission work, included Skyline Homes in Halstead, KS, Vogts Construction in Newton and Tortilla King in Moundridge. His most recent employment was a custodian position at Newton High School for almost nine years. In his jobs, Jerome was able to multi-task and to show good attention to detail. He was known as a team player.
Jerome’s interests included missions, volunteering in prison ministry, and participating in Sunday School, Bible study groups and prayer groups. He sang in the KMMC (Kansas Mennonite Men’s’ Chorus) and in the church choir. He participated in Circles of McPherson County, and he enjoyed vegetable gardening.
His Christian faith was always important to him. Jerome was baptized at Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge in 1976. He attended Eden Mennonite Church most of his life; he also attended the Church of Revival. Most recently, he attended Hopefield Church in rural Moundridge. He read his Bible faithfully and often carried it with him. He memorized a great deal of scripture. He prayed, often, for others. Jerome was known to be courteous, gracious and helpful. He expressed gratitude to others freely. Jerome especially loved Christmas carols; he chose some to be used at his memorial service.
Jerome is survived by his father, Homer Goering of Moundridge, KS, and five brothers – Vaughn Goering of Peabody, KS, Larry and Sarah Goering of McPherson, KS, Roy and Sheralyn Goering of Newton, KS, Ron and Cecilia Goering of Moundridge, KS , Sam and Marcia Goering of Moundridge, KS and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Goering, and his grandparents, Chris S. and Marie Goering and David P. and Lydia Ewert.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Eden Mennonite Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 6, at Moundridge Funeral Home, with family present from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hopefield Church, Eden Mennonite Church, or New Jerusalem Missions of Newton in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.