Gerald Straw’s Life Remembered: A Legacy Honored in Goshen, Indiana

Gerald Straw, a steadfast presence in Goshen, Indiana, passed away in 2023 after a life defined by quiet dignity, community service, and deep personal connections. His death marks the end of a chapter in the heart of Wheaton County, where he spent decades shaping civic life and supporting neighbors with honor. Having served as a cornerstone of the local fellowship, his obituary reflects not just a passing, but a legacy woven into the fabric of Goshen’s identity.

During his 84 years, Gerald Straw exemplified integrity and dedication. Born and raised in the region, he cultivated lifelong bonds with families, friends, and institutions that thrived on mutual trust. His involvement extended beyond private life into public service: coordinator of neighborhood initiatives, active member of Rotary Clubs, and longtime volunteer at St.

Mary’s Community Center.

Gerald’s community footprint was both broad and deeply personal. He chaired the Goshen Heritage Remembrance Project, helping preserve local history through digitized archives and oral history interviews.

“He believed every story mattered—especially the small, unheralded ones,” said longtime colleague Mary Jenkins, whose family still benefits from the centers he helped build. “Gerald didn’t chase headlines—he chose service.”

The impact of his work is measurable in numbers and spirit. Under his leadership, dozens of youth mentoring programs expanded, senior transportation feasibility studies were launched, and faith-based outreach grew significantly.

At St. Ulrich’s Church, where he was a deacon, he was known for organizing holiday meals for over 200 households annually, ensuring noone in the community went without during the winter months. “Gerald’s generosity wasn’t grandiose—it was consistent, unshakable,” noted pastor Rev.

Linda Cho. “He turned compassion into routine care.”

Early Life and Family Bonds

Gerald Thomas Straw was born on July 12, 1939, in Goshen’s epicenter, the eldest of three children to Samuel and Rita Straw. Raised on a modest farm just outside town, he developed values of hard work and neighborly responsibility from an early age.

Educated at Goshen High School, where he played on the varsity football team, Gerald later earned a degree in Business Administration from Indiana University Bloomington, setting the stage for a career rooted in community planning and local development. His marriage to Barbara Merrell in 1962 brought two children, David and Anne, and together the couple became pillars of civic pride. Barbara, a retired elementary school teacher, shared Gerald’s passion for education and youth, often volunteering alongside him at weekly tutoring events and community fairs.

The couple’s decades-long partnership reflected a shared vision: a Goshen where every individual feels seen and supported.

Professional Contributions and Civic Engagement

From 1975 until his retirement in 2019, Gerald served the City of Goshen as Director of Family and Community Services, a role in which he transformed outreach strategies and program implementation. Under his guidance, the city pioneered inclusive neighborhood councils, expanded public health initiatives, and strengthened intergenerational connections.

Notable Programs Led: - Operation Warm Warmth: monthly holiday gift drives for families in need. - Senior Safety Check-ups: bi-annual home visits ensuring elder independence and security. - Youth Leadership Exchange: a regional program connecting high school students across Northwest Indiana.

His leadership style blended approachability with strategic vision, earning trust across political lines. “Gerald never saw politics—he saw people,” said former City Treasurer Robert Finch. “He knew each face behind the voter, the volunteer, the caregiver.

That’s how lasting change happens.”

Beyond formal roles, Straw’s influence rippled through informal networks—neighbors recall spontaneous acts: shoveling snow for elderly families in winter, organizing birthday celebrations with care, or simply listening when friends needed to talk. “He never asked for thanks,” said neighbor Sylvia Martinez. “He just showed up—consistently, gently, and truly.”

Hobbies and Passions: A Gentle Soul with Enduring Interests

Outside his professional duties, Gerald was known for quiet, meaningful pursuits.

An avid gardener, he tended a lilac-filled homestead garden for over 50 years—plants now revered by locals as symbolic of his enduring presence in the town. A skilled woodworker, he crafted benches and birdhouses donated to Parks Department green spaces and youth project sites.

He was also a dedicated reader and advocate for literary arts, frequently contributing short essays to the Goshen Gazette and mentoring young writers through school workshops.

“He believed stories hold memory,” recalledutive teacher Marla Holloway. “His words helped students see their own power to shape narratives.”

Community Gardens and Literary Mentorship

His garden, often called “Gerald’s Blessing,” doubled as a living classroom. Local gardening clubs adopted plots in honor of his legacy, with annual spring planting ceremonies attended by municipal leaders.

Similarly, his sponsorship of the Goshen Youth Writing Series brought rising young voices into the spotlight, culminating each year with a community poetry reading at City Hall. Für family, his weekends often included storytelling sessions—legends from his father’s Farm Bureau days, wisdom from midcentury Goshen, and life lessons distilled into timeless advice. “He didn’t publish books,” his granddaughter Emma noted, “but he wrote his story freely—through hands, heart, and home.”