Mac passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning of December 6, 2017 at the The Brethren Home Retirement Community. He was born January 15, 1927 in Greenville, Ohio at Wayne Hospital when the hospital was located in a large house near the current hospital location. He is the son of the late Goldie Pauline (Goodpaster) Wilson. He was raised by his grandparents, Jesse and Rosa Belle Goodpaster. Mac learned firsthand the trials of survival during the Great Depression, depending many times on his hunting and fishing skills for food on the table and his grandmother’s ability to stretch the so scarce dollar. His grandfather died when Mac was only 7 years old leaving him to take care of his grandmother the best he could. They lived between Greenville and Union City, Ohio during most of his youth and he went to school in one room school houses and the High Schools of Union City and Greenville. His great vivid memory spanned the areas of Union City, Greenville, Dayton and surrounding villages. Many people sought him out to relive the times of those days so often forgotten. His stories are cherished by all who knew him.
Mac met Juanita Eva Funk and had their first date in 1943. It was love at first sight and they remained sweethearts forever in life and after. Mac joined the Army at age 18 and was asked to transfer to the newly formed Army Air Corps. He was stationed at Williams Airfield in Phoenix, Arizona. Mac and Juanita were married on December 29, 1945, and the following day Mac left for Arizona, leaving Juanita behind. Juanita soon followed him to Arizona where they began married life. Mac had many tales of his experiences in the military and his encounters with German POW’s in Florence, Arizona. Mac and Juanita, just 18 and 19 years old, enjoyed their time in the hot desert, living in a small trailer and having the comradery of other military families. After the war, they came back to Greenville, and Mac was one of the first men to join the newly organized Darke County National Guard.
Mac worked at the Treaty Company in the foundry, securing knowledge in the hands on working of the complete foundry process. It was very hard and dangerous work, but he did it with skill, pride and advanced to the management side of the business. When the Treaty Company closed the foundry, Mac worked at similar jobs, sometimes taking him far from home.
By 1947, He and Juanita had started their family which grew to seven children. Joyce Ann (Bruce) Ullery of Tucson, Arizona, Shirley Jean (Bill) Sando of Dallas, Texas, whom are both deceased, Joseph Leon (Dorothy) Goodpaster of Greenville, Rose Mary Goodpaster Wetzel, who passed away in 2017, and her ex-husband, Dennis Wetzel of Greenville, Charles Eugene (Dee Dee Diehl) Goodpaster of New Madison, Ronald Lee (Kelley) Goodpaster of Greenville, and John Allen Goodpaster of Greenville. He also had a step sister, Janet (Wilson) Oswalt, who is deceased.
After back injuries that kept Mac from the foundry business, he then went to auctioneer school, got his license in Columbus, Ohio, and started his career as an auctioneer. In 1972, he and Juanita bought the old cannery/National Guard Armory building in Gettysburg, Ohio and successfully ran the Gettysburg Auction House that was open every Friday evening for over 25 years. During that time, Friday night auction was the thing to do and Saturday night was spent at the Midwest Jamboree held in New Paris, Ohio. Mac and Junita treasured the friendships of many people during these long lost days.
Mac and Junita were always ready to go for a ride and travel the county side, just good old fashioned rambling about, visiting family and friends. Juanita passed away in 2012. Mac then stayed with Rose Mary and Joe for several months before settling in at The Brethren Home Retirement Community when he enjoyed all his days there, visiting with many old friends and making new friends. During the years there, he began again, his love of writing. He composed many entertaining poems for which he won awards and also wrote many stories that will not be forgotten.
He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by his children, their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
Friends and Family may visit on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Oliver Floyd Funeral in Greenville.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on December 12, 2017 at the Oliver Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville with Rev. Scott Gruber officiating. Burial will follow in Gettysburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Care, 1350 N. Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331, The Resident’s Aid Fund at the Brethren Home, or The Darke County Cancer Association, 209 E. Fourth Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oliverfloyd.com
