Obituary: Jay Goold

John Jay Goold, 71, Fairbury, died at 10:06 am Sunday, August 26, 2018 at his residence, Fairbury.

Jay was born on November 26, 1946 at Fairbury Hospital, the son of John R. and Mary Ellen Wink Goold.

Jay graduated from Fairbury-Cropsey High School, and Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel. He received his law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

He was employed as a dorm director at Northern Illinois University and Clarion College in Clarion, Pennsylvania. He worked as an attorney with Henry Phillips and in private practice in Fairbury for many years. He was co-owner and operator of Trees-N-Trim Christmas Tree Farm in Fairbury for 30 years.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Ellen Goold, Fairbury, his sisters, Ann Arendell, Bloomington and Joan Smeltzer, Fairbury, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father.

Jay was a member of the Indian Creek Golf and Country Club, Knoll Lodge, and the Prairie Central Sportsman’s Club.

Jay loved golfing, making Christmas wreaths and meeting the many people who returned year after year to buy Christmas trees. Jay enjoyed being in the timber and treasured the time spent fishing with his grandparents, Bud and Lorine Wink. Knoll Lodge was very special to Jay for the many close friends he met there every Thursday.

Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 pm Sunday, September 2, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury followed by an opportunity for people to share and celebrate Jay’s life at Indian Creek Golf and Country Club, Fairbury from 5:00 to 7:00pm. All are welcomed to attended both gatherings.

Jay requested that in lieu of flowers memorials be given to the Indian Creek Golf and Country Club, the Fairbury Sportsman’s Club or to a charity of their choice.