Cover photo for Norman W. Goodling's Obituary
1940 Norman 2021

Norman W. Goodling

October 30, 1940 — May 24, 2021

Kalamazoo

Norm passed away peacefully and unexpectedly Monday May 24th at Bronson Hospital after a brief illness and fall in his home. Norm was born in Niles, MI the only son of Williedean and Donald Goodling. He grew up there on the family farms with many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins until after graduation when he moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University. There he majored in Art and Teaching with minors in Thespian and Jewelry Design and was involved in several business and social fraternities before graduating in 1962 when he moved to Charlotte MI to begin teaching Art at the local High School. Upon moving to Charlotte, he met and married Judith Ann Dargitz, June 20, 1964, who proceeded him in death March 6, 2015 and he missed her deeply. He later began working for Farm Bureau Insurance in meeting planning before the family moved back to Kalamazoo in 1977 beginning work at Klose Electric before his career move to the Kalamazoo Gazette where he retired from in October 2002. Norm and Judy loved to travel in their retirement and did many trips domestically and internationally while they could. He is survived by their three children Julia Goodling, Donald Goodling (Elaine Kauffman) and Arick (Nancy) Goodling, as well as their 5 grandchildren Zachary, MacKenzie, Andrew Goodling and Mattason and Mason Seiferlein, many nieces, nephews, and his Brother-in-law Larry Klose.

If you had the fortune to know Norm the only way he could be described is "Larger than Life", in his prime he had his fingers and toes dipped into many different aspects of life from his career in the arts at the Gazette, as a young man he earned his eagle scout award, so he continued along with his two sons in Boy Scout Troop 205 to keep that passion alive for many years, his love of directing and acting in multiple community theaters but staying mainly close to home at the Kalamazoo Civic, to his work with the KIA, the art fair, art hop and his continued support of his own artistic ventures. Norm was a valued member of the First Presbyterian Church and a devote choir member for many years. He also continued singing in the Kalamazoo Male Chorus along with various other groups and organization around Kalamazoo. Norm spent much of his days working in his beloved gardens around his home along with catching up with many of his neighbors who so passionately named him the "Mayor of Westnedge Hill" because he always knew what everyone else had going on in their lives and never hesitated to offer his help or opinion. He and Judy loved to entertain and, in their day, would host many dinner or garden parties to show off his beautiful gardens that folks came to see from all around the area. After retirement he enjoyed ushering at Chenery Auditorium, working mailings at the KIA with Judy and even had a part in the Ballet Arts version of The Nutcracker as Drosselmeyer, which thrilled him. He was always the social butterfly in life and kept his family on their toes with his next adventure, so he will be missed by many.

Norm had chosen cremation and inurnment in the First Presbyterian Church columbarium. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 31st, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South Street, Kalamazoo MI. The family will greet guests from 1-2 PM on Saturday in the church Gathering Place lounge.
Donations may be made in Norm's name to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts or the Performing Arts Fund at the First Presbyterian church. Arrangements were entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes. To view Norm's personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com
To order memorial trees in memory of Norman W. Goodling, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

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Visitation

Saturday, July 31, 2021

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Memorial Service

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

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