Roscoe Harold Goings , 94, of rural South Whitley, passed away at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2025, surrounded by family at the Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Born on June 21, 1930, in Columbia City, Indiana, he was a son of the late Ivan E. and Dorothy L. (Bauman) Goings.  Growing up on a farm in Washington Twp., Whitley County, he graduated from Washington Center School in 1948.  He continued to work on the farm and began his lifelong career of driving truck.

Inducted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War on March 20, 1951, he became a Corporal in the Military Police.  He was honorably discharged on March 19, 1953.  Returning to the area, he continued his professional truck driving career with Metzger Trucking of Silver Lake until 1956 when he joined South Whitley Trucking.  After driving for them for 29 years, the company closed, and he joined Central Transport of Fort Wayne, retiring on December 31, 1986.  He was a member of Teamster Local 414.

Roscoe also served as the South Whitley Town Marshall and held the elected position of the Cleveland Twp. Constable.  During his tenure, the town of South Whitley purchased their first dedicated police car.

On August 2, 1969, he married Hazel Ann (Cook) Chaplin. They have always made their home in South Whitley.

After retiring, he continued to drive full-time for Whitley Mobile Homes for 30 years, then part-time until 2022.

Well-known in the community, Roscoe was a regular at the area restaurants for breakfast regardless of the weather.  He enjoyed taking many vacations throughout the United States with family and friends as well as ocean cruises with his wife, Ann, going on over 18 with more planned. He was a member of St John Lutheran Church.

Surviving is his beloved wife of 55 years, Ann; children, Candis Deitrick of Findlay, OH, Cindy (Clint) Hatton of South Whitley, Cheryl (Kent) Hoffman of Columbia City, and Jeff (Michelle) Chaplin of Dry Ridge, KY; grandchildren, Kristina (Jeremie) Higgins, Amanda (Tony) Stoffel, Tiffany (Phil) Reed, Travis (Emilie) Hatton, Lindsey (Kevin) Hierholzer, Morgen (Phil) Forsman, Lucy Chaplin, Cooper Chaplin; ten great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Malcolm of Butler and a sister-in-law, Adonna Goings.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Hoffman, and brothers, Richard and Rex Goings.

The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 14th) at St John Lutheran Church, 2465 W Keiser Road, Columbia City.  Burial is at the South Whitley Cemetery with military honors by the Korean War Honor Guard of Whitley County.  Visitation is from 2 until 8 p.m. Monday (Jan 13th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, and one hour before the service at the church.

Memorials in Roscoe's honor are to St John Lutheran Church or AmVets Post 2919, South Whitley, or Disabled American Veterans (DAV).