Juanita Jean Goodrich

Juanita Jean Goodrich, 95, of Kankakee, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 14, 2026, at his home. She was born June 22, 1930, in Kankakee the daughter of Grover and Anne (Howell) Walker. She was a devoted homemaker who found her greatest joy in caring for and raising her five children. Deeply involved in her community, she dedicated countless hours to organizations that enriched the lives of local youth. She served as a den mother for the Boy Scouts, a Brownie leader, and neighborhood chairman for the Girl Scouts throughout Kankakee County. Juanita was also a proud 50-year member of the Kankakee Women’s Club, where her passion for service and community involvement shined brightly. She had a special heart for helping children and educating others, often dressing up as a detective or the beloved crime-fighting dog McGruff to teach school-aged children about crime prevention, shoplifting, and the importance of making good choices. She is survived by her sons, Richard Goodrich Jr. of St. Anne and William (Carolyn) Goodrich of Donovan; daughters, Nancy (Bob) Harris of Kankakee, Bonnie (Bob) Welker of Colombus, IN, and Linda (Tim) Petro of Broken Arrow, OK;15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren. Juanita is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Richard Goodrich Sr. and her parents. A memorial service will be held at 1pm at Calvary Bible Church on Saturday, May 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Uplifted Care Hospice.