"I must be dead, I read it in the paper"

OXFORD: Ted L. Goodell, age 85, died Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Compass Memorial Hospital in Marengo.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 23 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street). Graveside services will take place following the celebration of life on Saturday, with full Navy Military Honors. Following the burial, a luncheon will be provided at the George. G. Lucky post #57 in Vinton

Ted was born on October 4, 1937, in rural Benton County, the son of Forrest and Helen (Bickal) Goodell.  Ted graduated from Urbana High School with the class of 1957. Following graduation Ted enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958 and continued his service for 20 years before retiring from the military. On July 13, 1957, he was united in marriage to Shirley Brehm. The couple later had six children together. During his enlistment Ted was able to see and live in many beautiful places, such as Honolulu, HI, San Diego, CA, Oakland, CA, Heyward, CA, Norfolk, VA, Columbia, SC. After retirement Ted and Shirley settled down in Oxford, Iowa. Ted was on the USS Enterprise when it caught on fire and had a series of explosions on January 14, 1969.

Following his retirement from the US Navy, Ted was employed by the University of Iowa and ran his own janitorial cleaning company. Ted enjoyed fishing, gardening, and showing off his produce to local businesses in Oxford. Above all else Ted loved his family and lived for his grandchildren, attending many of their events.  He was lovingly known as Papa Ted, or PT for short.

Ted is survived by his children, Mary Helen Cocklin of Indiana, Mark (Judi) Goodell of Iowa City, Aaron (Susie) Goodell of Williamsburg, and Erica Goodell-Hejlik of Springfield VA.; grandchildren, Kayla (Tyson) Jones of Washington, Karrie (Marco) Seguro of Indiana, Matthew (Kristin) Cocklin of Indiana, Abby Goodell, Alissa Goodell of Iowa, AJ Goodell

of Des Moines, Kyle Goodell of Williamsburg, and Brianna Hejlik of Springfield, VA; great grandchildren, Titus Jones, Kaysen Jones of Washington, Chloe Cocklin, Kaylyn Cocklin, Torin Cocklin , Addisyn Cocklin all of Indiana; Amalia Seguro and Emilee Seguro of Indiana.  brothers, Leon (Sam) Goodell of Boyd, Texas, Gary Goodell of Apple Valley, CA, Kim (Beverly) Goodell of Smyrna, GA; sister, Linda Edler of North Liberty, and sister-in-law Karen Goodell of Urbana.

Memorials can be directed to Compass Memorial Hospital in Marengo Iowa for the excellent care and compassion they gave Ted in his final days.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, daughter, Cynthia Goodell, son, Joseph Goodell, sister-in-law, Marlene Goodell and brother-in-law Richard Edler.

"I'm the nicest guy you will ever meet, just ask me"