This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BADDOUR, GOFF, STUETZER, KLOS, COFFMAN, WESTON Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lNB.2ACI/4065 Message Board Post: Mrs. Myrtle B. Goff (lovingly known as OWO to her many friends and relatives) of Phoenix, Arizona passed away Tuesday, the 6th day of September 2005. "OWO" was the first born child of the late Melvin and Melba Baddour, who operated a clothing store at 108 North Missouri, Potosi, for 50 years. Her loving nickname was given by her sister, Martha Lee, in their childhood years. Myrtle was 88 years, 4 month and 15 days of age at the time of her death. She was born on April 24, 1917 in a house still in good repair located on Austin Street. She was baptized in the Potosi United Methodist Church on May 1, 1917 by the then president (late) Rev. John T. Self. At that time, the Potosi UMC was the building now occupied by Belgrade State Bank. Myrtle graduated from Potosi High School in 1935...and a former local Civic leader in Potosi, the late Howard Higginbotham...was one of her classmates. The Baddour family moved into 112 North Missouri when Myrtle was 3 years old and along with being reared in the home, she was tutored in business through her parents' store at 108 N. Missouri. She helped clerking, bookkeeping, etc. while she pursued higher education to become a teacher. Myrtle reached her goal when she was hired at the Richwoods Public School with her first teaching position. She worked with the late Mrs. Chad Long as her Principal and also Mrs. Roderique, who was much later, brutally murdered. In 1945 Myrtle was married to S/Sgt. Bert D. Goff, who was a participant in World War II and was stationed at Davis-Monthan Airfield in Tucson, Arizona. Thereafter, Arizona became their home...for Myrtle it was over 50 years. Following the end of the war, Bert and Myrtle moved to Phoenix where they both became associated with the Phoenix Union High School District (a district of 12 high schools). Myrtle became an English and business teacher while Bert was serving as associate principal. Myrtle completed her education by getting her Master's Degree in 1958 from Arizona State University, which was the first class to have the word "University" on their diploma. Prior to that it was Arizona State College. While teaching, Myrtle became the faculty sponsor for National Honor Society at her school. At the same time she served as NHS sponsor; a friend, Mrs. Pauline (Sprinkle) Higginbotham, wife of former classmate Howard was the NHS sponsor at Potosi High. Many comparisons were made about the respective schools and their program for NHS. Myrtle took early retirement in 1981 following the sudden death of her husband from an aneurysm. At the time of death, Bert was only 58 years of age. He is interred in Potosi Masonic Cemetery close to his in-laws... the Melvin Baddours. Myrtle was a member of Central United Methodist Church for over 50 years and was very active, holding offices in the Women's Division at the district and Conference level. Identical services were held in her Phoenix church for friends there prior to local services and interment. Both Myrtle and Bert were very active in Masonic affiliated organizations. They were both life members and Past Officers of Queen Esther Chapter No. 22, O.E.S.; Arizona Shrine No. 1, White Shrine of Jerusalem; Phoenix Court No. 1, Order of Amaranth; Myrtle, alone, was Queen of Qadesh Temple No. 35, Daughters of Nile and also a life member. She was also a member of Scottish Rite Widows club, Widows of Shriners Club and Masonic certificate of Honor. Some of Myrtle's professional memberships included: National Education Association, Arizona Education Association, Local Classroom Teachers Association, American Association of University Women, and until recently (when it was disbanded) National Council of Teachers of English. Myrtle is survived by her sister Martha Lee (Baddour) Stuetzer of Webster Groves, Mo.; a niece Karen (Stuetzer) Klos and her husband John; also a great niece and nephews, Michael and Julie Klos, all of Manchester, Missouri; two dear cousins; Anna Jean Coffman and her husband Clyde and family of Potosi, and Betty Riggs Weston and family of Granite City, Illinois, many other friends and distant relatives in Phoenix and on the east coast. Britton Funeral Home, Potosi, will be in charge of local arrangements and interment (following A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Phoenix services). Funeral services will be held at Potosi United Methodist Church at 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 16, 2005 with a former Potosi United Methodist pastor, Rev. Don Kuehle officiating. Musical selections (Myrtle's favorites) will be furnished by the Potosi United Methodist Church Choir. Committal prayers will be by Dr. Kuehle and interment made in Potosi Masonic Cemetery beside her beloved husband, Bert D. Goff, and near her loved parents, Melvin and Melba Baddour. Independent Journal, Potosi, MO. Thursday, September 15, 2005