James "Mike" Michael Goforth

October 17, 1946 - December 23, 2019

James Michael “Mike” Goforth, 73, left this earth for his eternal resting place in Heaven on December 23, 2019 at Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon, Indiana. He was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana on October 17, 1946; a son of the late James Byron Goforth and LaVone “Bonnie” (Goforth) Prather. Mike was a 1965 graduate of Crawfordsville High School, a 1971 graduate of Johnson Bible College, and a 1976 graduate of Christian Theological Seminary, receiving his Master of Divinity with Latin Honors in Indianapolis. On February 19, 1966 he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Sue “Susie” (Surface) Goforth. While perfectly inseparable, strongly connected in the Lord, and full of joy, Mike and Susie spent 53 years together before his passing. Mike’s love for Susie was boundless. In his own words, Mike and Susie were always running for the “Grandparents of the Year Award,” and in the eyes of their grandchildren, they won every year. They sat through football games, Cub Scout meetings, and concerts. Mike was at nearly every basketball practice, art exhibition, and musical that his grandchildren did. Mike and Susie also made the 700-mile trek to Tulsa, Oklahoma to see Jeff and his family for various birthdays, celebrations, and holidays. Mike was a great man, yet an even greater Papaw. Mike never allowed for his fire and passion for family, God, the community, and his dear Susie to ever fizzle out. Mike followed God’s calling to be a pastor through many churches, spending most of his years preaching in Lebanon at Love and Faith Fellowship and, later, Household of Love and Faith. Mike was known for being a passionate and fiery preacher who knew the Word of God by heart. Mike took his pastoral calling to his community through his volunteering and jail ministries, supporting hurricane relief, working with Native American reservations, supporting local events, and working with missionaries to many countries. Mike showed his dedication to the local community through his chaplaincy for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and Witham Memorial Hospital. In his free time, Mike was an avid reader and writer. Mike also enjoyed walking and swimming and participated in several marathons. Mike is survived by his wife, Susie Goforth (Lebanon, IN); his two children: Tracy (Larry) Selke (Indianapolis, IN) and Jeff (Lisa) Goforth (Tulsa, OK); his grandchildren: Phil, Jon, Rachel, J, Zach, Jonathan, Kate; greatgrandchildren: Sailor, Stella, Andrew; and his brother, Ed (Julie) Goforth (Plainfield, IN). Mike is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jackie Sue. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, Lebanon, Indiana. Visitation is planned from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home in Lebanon. Interment will follow at Lincoln Memory Gardens in Whitestown, Indiana. Memorials may be made in Mike’s honor to Jeff Goforth Ministries.