Benjamin Abram Goodin, 10, of Rockford, passed away Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. He was born on Febr. 15, 2011, in Rockford, the son of Aaron and Haylie (Sanders) Goodin.
His happiness to be where he was, no matter the location, showed how much he loved life and being with people. He loved to ask questions of everyone. Ben made every effort, successfully, to elicit participation from even the most unwilling of strangers at Target–his favorite store. He frequently asked his peers, teachers, neighbors, and family members what they had for dinner last night. Ben found a way to give weight to the smallest of details. Ben enjoyed playing Minecraft with his family, and would ask, “Can I take you on an adventure?,” and lead you on quite a journey. He loved helping others. When he recognized that someone needed help, he would quickly say, “I can do that!” His final act of help was through organ donation to provide an opportunity for an extended adventure for the lives of several others.
He is survived by his father, Aaron; sister, Natalie; grandparents, Don and Rose Goodin; grandparents, Paul and Linda Sanders; great grandparents, Dwight and Evelyn Goodin; great grandparent, Carolyn Williams; great grandparent, Dorothy Sanders; uncles, Nathan (Logan), Isaac, and Jo Goodin; uncle, Jason (Sarah) Sanders; cousins, Avi, Reael, Rhema, Axton, and Selah Goodin; cousins, Carson, Will, Emma, and Kate Sanders; cousins, Meredith and Will Wagner. He is predeceased by his mother, Haylie (Sanders) Goodin and great grandparent, Francis Sanders.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL. Service was held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials and tributes to honor Ben may be made online. Please consider giving to support these causes that are near and dear to our hearts: Pediatric Neurosurgery Research and Education Fund and/or Our UW Health Transplant Fund. Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
