George Edwin Goss, age 96, of Joliet, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 with his loving wife at his side. Survived by his wife Lois (nee Ariagno), his children James (Barbara) Goss and Janet (Daniel) Feeney, grandchildren Shay (Jeano VerSchave) Feeney, Aubrey Feeney, Casey Feeney, Lindsay (Derrick) Aikman, Heather (Adam) Nash, Stephanie Swift, Jeffrey (Claire) Swift and Ryan (Carli) Swift, great grandchildren Red, Walker and Evers Aikman, Bennett and Anders VerSchave, Kate and Edson Minderhoud, Harrison Swift and Mae, John and Anna Swift, brother-in-law Thomas (Shirley) Ariagno and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Elizabeth (nee Fritz) Goss, brothers Almer (Honey), Richard (Anita) and Robert (Marilyn) and sisters Eleanor McGuire, Verna (Joseph) Chiapello and Wiletta Goss (in childhood).

George attended Joliet Township High School but left before graduation (later completing his GED) to serve his country with the U.S. Navy during WWII. George was very proud of his service as Seaman First Class on the USS Patuxent, an oil tanker in the Pacific Theater. His ship was docked in the Bay of Japan when General MacArthur signed the peace treaty to end that phase of the war.

George completed his service and married his grade school sweetheart Lois – 76 years of marriage but a love story that had its genesis a decade earlier. George and Lois settled in Joliet and began their beautiful family together. George was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Joliet, having gone to its grade school and later serving as an usher for fifty years. Geoge worked as a welder for the Mississippi Valley Barge Line Company, ultimately as foreman, and retired around age 60. George was a longtime member of the Stone City VFW Post #2199, working at its weekly BINGO games for fifty years and enjoying bowling and camaraderie with his fellow veterans.

He became an avid golfer in retirement, scoring a Hole-in-One and golfing his age at Woodruff several times during his late eighties. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears. He and his wife Lois looked forward to their annual fishing trip to Minnesota. George also spent many Saturday evenings dancing with his wife Lois at Stone City to big band music. George was a content man with a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. He often expressed how blessed he felt throughout life and expressed his love for his wife right to the end. God is good.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. Prayers will be said at 10:30 A.M. A procession will follow to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W. North St., Manhattan for 11:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will immediately follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.