Don Charles Gooden, 89, of Mendota, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

A private family service will be held at a later date and burial will be at Rosemond Grove Cemetery in Pana, IL.

Don was born March 12, 1934 in Pana to Charles and Mary Elizabeth (Kuhn) Gooden.

Don grew up in Pana and graduated High School in 1952. He attended Southern Illinois University from 1952-1956. It was during this time, on one of his many trips back to Pana, where he met his sweetheart Carol Hatfield. They fell in love and married on Christmas day, December 25, 1955. They had two children Jan and Scott and they enjoyed 67 years of marriage.

They moved to Carbondale until Don completed his Bachelor's Degree in August 1956. They moved to Mendota where he began his 34 year teaching career at Mendota High School. He earned his Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University in June 1968. His entire teaching career was devoted to General Science, Earth Science and Environmental Studies. Don was heavily involved in the High School athletic program, where he was a coach of track and field for all 34 years. He also coached football off and on for many years. In 1997 the Don Gooden Invitational track meet was established in his honor. He truly enjoyed coaching and this was a special accomplishment. Don retired from Mendota High School in 1990. Their beloved dog entered their lives as did their grandchildren. Don and Carol, along with their dog Tara, loved spending the winters in sunny Florida and summers at home with the grandkids. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching the Chicago Bears and Cubs on TV, his long coaching career and most of all - spending time with friends and family. He will be greatly missed by all of those that knew him. A very special thank you to his caregivers Nicole, Jaylin and Sherry, to OSF Hospice and to our special friend Dale Roedl.

He is survived by his daughter Jan Hamilton of Murphysboro, IL.; two grandchildren Trace (Melissa LaHaye) Gooden and Teague Elizabeth Gooden both of Federal Way, WA.; sisters Dottie Ann Hrabak of Pana and Darlene (John) Reiss of Granite Bay, CA. and many nieces nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Carol on May 15, 2023, his son Scott  in 2005, his parents, his daughter in law Michelle Gooden in 2022 and his beloved dog Tara.

Memorials may be directed to OSF Hospice.