AMELIA MAY GOODWIN VAN BUSKIRK

Amelia May Goodwin was born on September 6th, 1908, in Clay Center, Kansas, on the banks of the Republican River, (as she used to like to say).

She was the baby of the family and was lovingly called "Tootie" by her brothers and her sister, and her mother and dad as well.

May lived with her family in Idana, Kansas, not far from her birthplace until she was eight or nine years old. As that time, they moved from Northern Kansas to Southern Kansas, settling in Lafontaine. Her father Albert worked for the railroad and was also a beekeeper and a gardener. Her mother Marcella, was a dressmaker and housewife.

May loved being with her father, and was a bit of a tomboy. She learned how to Trap while in his company, and earned a small bounty from each catch. She was also an adventurer and a lover of nature. Out of curiosity, she would climb up a tree to get Robin's eggs until 1 one time her father caught her and admonished her for it.

She also got her love for music from her father, who was a talented fiddle player. She would dance and laugh to his songs, with her favorite being, "Pop Goes The Weasel". In later years, May's musical talent blossomed and by request, performed soprano solo's. Her favorite song in high school was "The Holy City", which she sang at many gatherings. She also excelled academically, making straight A's, most of her high school years. She planned to go to "Normal School, as it was called then, after graduation and become a school teacher. After her senior year in high school, she took a trip to St. Louis where her sister Elizabeth lived. Her memories of that time were very special to her and she often relived them by the stories she told her children about going down the Mississippi on a steamboat.

After her stay in St. Louis, she returned to the Fredonia, Kansas area, and instead of furthering her education, she and a friend decided to open a little diner. It was at that diner that May's future husband, Harold Van Buskirk, first caught her eye. He loved telling the story about the first time he saw her. He said that she was going to be his wife someday soon. He went in almost everyday and ordered a bowl of chili. They were married on September 25, 1928. She went on to cook for the next fifty years, until his death parted them in 1978.

May and Harold's last residence together was around the Wonsevu-Cedarpoint area where they had lived for ten or more years. May's last home before illness forced her to live in the nursing home, was at her little apartment in Cottonwood Falls in the housing complex, where she fulfilled her greatest love, making special dinners for her family.

Amelia May Goodwin Van Buskirk was known by her family who adored her as the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Every line and word describes her life perfectly...

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.


May spent her life devoted to serving others, not only as a wife and mother, but also in her workday world as a nurse-aid for many years. She passed from this life to eternal life on Friday morning, September 20, 1996 in her room at her last earthly home, Emporia Presbyterian Manor. She was tenderly card for there, since May of 1994 by loving nurses, cooks, and cleaning ladies.

May was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Francis Lafayette Van Buskirk; her mother Marcella Grisham Goodwin; her father , Albert Madison Goodwin; her three brothers, Albert, Charlie and Tom Goodwin; her sister, Elizabeth Goodwin Highley; and her childhood and life long friend, Bertha Colton.

May is survived by her children, Harold A. Van Buskirk, Yakima, Washington; Robert E. Van Buskirk, Peabody, Kansas; Duane Van Buskirk, Matfield Green, Kansas; Marilyn Patterson, Emporia, Kansas; Lorena Meadows, Camilla, Georgia. Also three loving daughters-in-law; Mary, Neoma, and Sharon, and two loving sons-in-law; Kyle and Don.

May has 26 adoring grandchildren in ages ranging from 5 1/2 to 45 years; 42 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. All of the above being remembered by May on each individual birthday with a card and a token of her love tucked inside for them.

May has a host of nieces and nephews who have honored her with their attentions over the years. Grandson's wives and granddaughter's husbands who showered her with love, former daughters-in-law and son's-in-law whose love continues for her; her acquaintances in Cottonwood, Stong, Homestead and Wonsevu; her friends within the Flint Hills Community Church family who ministered to her and added so much to her spiritual walk; and her devoted friend of the last fifteen years who brought so much joy, Alta Ward.

We mourn her passing - our loss, but glory in her entrance into her heavenly reunion with her loved ones and with her Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Great Sovereign God, we praise you for her 88 years of life.