Judith Ann (Dean) Goodchild, 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2026 at Parker Nursing Home in Streator, IL surrounded by her loving family.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. Nicolas Wilson, officiating. Burial will follow at Grand Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2026 at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2026 at the funeral home.
Judith was born on March 31, 1943 in Spring Valley, IL to Leo Dean and Margaret (Hohlman) Dean. She graduated from DePeu High School, class of 1961. Judith married Ronald James Goodchild on June 30, 1962 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in DePue. They enjoyed 61 years of loving marriage before his passing in 2023. She was a current member of St. Columba Church in Ottawa, IL.
Judith devoted her life to being a homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a member of several organizations including Circus Model Builders and Circus World Museum Inc, and was a past member of Special People Encounter Christ.
In her free time, Judith enjoyed doing plastic canvas cross stitch and word searches. Other hobbies of hers included being a circus model displayer and watching soap operas, especially Days of Our Lives. She loved to attend basketball games and watch basketball and baseball on television. She was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bulls.
She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, Ron, to Circus Model Builders shows and conventions, train shows, and taking her grandchildren on these trips as well. Most of all she loved being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was always willing to babysit any of her grandchildren. She cherished going with Rose, her daughter-in-law, to get her hair done every week while shopping and going out to eat.
She is survived by her three children, Bob (Rose) Goodchild of Grand Ridge, IL, Donald (Goodchild) of Ottawa, IL, and Brad Goodchild of Grand Ridge, IL; six grandchildren, Chris (Kristen) Goodchild of Ottawa, IL, Matthew (Chandler) Goodchild of Streator, IL, Nathan (Delaney) Goodchild of Ottawa, IL, Vanessa Goodchild of Davenport, IA, Heidi Goodchild of Peoria, IL, and Joshua Goodchild of Green Bay, WI; three great grandchildren, Aubrie Goodchild of Ottawa, IL, Sienna Goodchild of Ottawa, IL and Bailey Goodchild of Streator, IL; sister, Janet (Tom) Herzog of Granite Shoals, TX; sister-in-law Jean Dean of Peru, IL; brother-in-laws, Gerald Goodchild of Ottawa, IL and Ken (Eileen) Goodchild of Savoy, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald James Goodchild, on July 14, 2023; parents, Leo and Margaret (Hohlman) Dean; parent-in-laws, Ronald and Doris (Mills) Goodchild; brother, Ron Dean; sister-in-law, Birdie Goodchild; and nephew, Wayne Goodchild.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Chris, Matthew, Nathan, Vanessa, Heidi, and Joshua Goodchild.
Memorials may be directed to Friendship House in Ottawa, IL or Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department in Grand Ridge, IL.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350, 815-434-4433.