William Vernon Godshall, 92, of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, died Friday, March 18, 2005 at the Village.
He was born February 11, 1913, at Centre Hall, a son of the late Vernon and Margaret Kline Godshall.
He married his high school sweetheart, Miriam Shook, in 1931 who preceded him in death in 1981. In 1985 he married Ellen Hagler Nash who also preceded him in death.
Mr. Godshall earned a B. S. in Agriculture Science, an M. S. in Agriculture Education, and Doctorate in Education from Penn State University.
Dr. Godshall taught in public schools in Ligonier, Latrobe, Fawn Twp., York County; and Juniata College in Huntingdon. For 25 years he served as a Superintendent of Schools at Hanover Park and Whippany Park High Schools in NJ, where he was recognized by the NJ Education Association and the American Assoc. of School Administrators for an outstanding school in the U. S., and served in Pennsylvania schools including Juniata Joint Schools. He served Columbia University in the fields of research and teaching. He devoted time to the Middle Atlantic States Association Evaluation. Active in cooperative studies he traveled in Europe, the USSR, the Holy Land, Scandinavia, the Balkans, England and Australia
He served as a church elder for 50 years, was a member of and past president of a Lions Club, a Rotary Club and a Kiwanis Club, and served as a scoutmaster. Dr. Godshall was active in many Masonic Organizations for over 50 years, with memberships in Union Lodge 324, Mifflintown, the Harrisburg Consitory, and the Zembo Temple Shrine. He became a member of the Masonic Village High Twelve Club # 629 in July 1997.
Music was one of his primary loves, having played in bands and orchestras, sung in the Masonic Village Men's Chorus, the Harrisburg Consistory Choir and the Masterworks Chorus in NJ.
He is survived by two daughters, Barbara Sue Fine and M. Elaine Bartow; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by a son Ralph Theodore Godshall and a daughter Judith Godshall.
Friends will be received from 11:00 until 11:45 a. m. on Thursday, March 24, 2005 at the Salem United Church of Christ, Spring Mills. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 11:45 a. m. The funeral will be held at the church at noon, with the Rev. Dr. Virginia Rye officiating. Burial will be in the Heckman Cemetery on Heckman Cemetery Road, Spring Mills, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Masonic Children's Home, C/O Gilson Cash, 1 Masonic drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com, then click on obituaries and Dr. Godshall's name.