Brother David P. Goodman, C.M., 87, of Perryville, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s of the Barrens Apostle of Charity Residence in Perryville, MO.
He was born February 23, 1938, in Haverhill, IA, to Arthur Charles and Clara (Brady) Goodman.
Brother David was a Vincentian Brother and member of the Congregation of the Mission.
He is a veteran of the United States Army. Brother David entered the Novitiate at St. Mary’s of the Barrens Perryville on September 17, 1958, and professed his vows at St. Mary’s of the Barrens Perryville on September 18, 1963. He attended Malcolm X College in Chicago, IL, from 1969 until 1973 and graduated with a degree in building engineering. He earned his certification in clinical pastoral education in 1991. Brother David served at ten places of assignment from 1964 to 2018 and took care of the maintenance duties. His last assignment was from 2018 to the present at St. Mary’s of the Barrens. His hobby during his free time was doing mechanic work on many Studebakers over the years.
Survivors include nieces and nephews, his fellow Vincentian priests and brothers, and the staff at St. Mary’s of the Barrens that cared for him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gayle (Mrs. Joseph) Scolaro and Mary Helen (Mrs. William) Cole; and a brother, Richard Goodman.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with Vigil Service at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Mary, Mother of God Chapel at the Apostle of Charity Residence in Perryville.
Funeral Mass will at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the Mary, Mother of God Chapel at the Apostle of Charity Residence in Perryville with Rev. James R. Osendorf, C.M., officiating, followed by Rite of Committal in the Vincentian Community Cemetery in Perryville.
The Vigil Service and Funeral Mass will be live streamed at St. Mary’s of the Barrens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080131630846
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.
Ford & Young Funeral Home in Perryville, MO is in charge of arrangements.
Brother Dave is remembered as a very kind, gentle man, and a good Vincentian. He was a hard worker who could fix just about anything. Former students at the Barrens note that they learned a lot by working with Brother Dave. While he was known to be very methodical and precise, he never shied away from the challenge of attempting new things.
In addition to his fondness for Studebaker automobiles, he was also a train enthusiast and participated in gatherings with fellow enthusiasts. He enjoyed dancing and went dancing regularly. He also enjoyed attending dance and symphonic music performances, particularly with Brother Mark Argus, C.M.
In his nearly 62 years of vowed service, Brother Dave demonstrated a joyful commitment to personal and spiritual growth, as well as growing in the Vincentian charism. His patience and his caring, supportive nature served him well in his ministry to those in need.
In his book, Brothers in the Congregation of the Mission, Fr. Robert Maloney, C.M., states:
“Brothers witness to the value of community in a hyper-individualistic age. They highlight that living in a community which prays together and commits itself to the gospel values of chastity, poverty and obedience is, all by itself, an ancient, key part of authentic Catholic spirituality. Through the centuries, brothers have been on the front lines of the Church’s most demanding forms of service – teaching the young, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, and serving the poor.”
Vincent told the brothers that, in their vocation
“…they imitate the life that Our Lord led for thirty years, while the priests in their duties imitate the life he led for only three and a half years…” (October 29, 1638, Cf. CCD: XI:99).
Thank you, Brother Dave, for your witness and service.