Ellen VanBrocklin

Our beloved Mother passed from mortal life into God?s arms on September 7. 2004. Born on September 3, 1921 in Subiaco, Western Australia, to Louisa and Vincent Goodman, Ellen excelled in academics and obtained credentials in business science while attending university. She loved the out of doors , especially gardening. She excelled in tennis, enjoyed equestrian hobbies, loved music, was an avid reader and enjoyed classicmovies. During WWII, Ellen met and fell in love with an American sailor, Eber VanBrocklin who was serving in the United States Navy submarine service while stationed in Freemantle ,Western Australia. Ellen and Eber were married April 28, 1945. She came to the United States with their young daughter, Dorothy, on what she called her great adventure. She embraced her new homeland and the VanBrocklin family which consisted of her husband and his fifteen siblings, all of whom she loved dearly. Ellen and Eber were blessed with five children, Dorothy (Kevin) Moley of Geneva Switzerland, Joan (Fred) Wagner of St. Joseph, Michigan, Patricia (Jay) Smith of McLean, Virginia, Robert(LeAnn) VanBrocklin of Westland, Michigan and Michael (Frances) VanBrocklin of Olney, Maryland. Their seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren includeKathleen Wagner, F. David Wagner III, Damon Moley, Matthew Krieger,Whitney Krieger,Carolyn VanBrocklin, Cristina VanBrocklin, F. David Wagner IV, Ellen Minden Duval and Lila Patton Duvall. Ellen is survived by her brother Frank Goodman of Doubleview, Western Australia and her Australian cousins Doris Cross and Dorothy Buck.Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Eber VanBrocklin, and her parents, Alexander and Louisa Goodman. Ellen was a resident of St. Joseph since 1946 as well as a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 A.M. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Fr. Thomas Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery , St. Joseph. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Friday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Liturgical Prayers recited at 7:30 P.M.. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.