Stephen Richard Goodlet, 72, of New Market, MO met Jesus at the gates of Heaven after a long battle with cancer on January 28, 2024. 

He was born on July 2, 1951, to Benjamin Harrison and Bonnie Fay (Searcy) Goodlet in St. Joseph, MO. Steve grew up on the family farm in rural Dearborn, MO and graduated from North Platte High School in 1969. Steve received his Bachelor’s of Science in Education and his Master’s in Education both from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO.

On July 13, 1973, he was united in marriage to Sheila Sue Paden. After their marriage they raised their family and made their home in New Market.

Steve started teaching for the West Platte School District in 1973 and retired after 33 years in 2006. He continued to teach part time at West Platte until he officially retired in 2020. Steve also taught summer school for North Platte for 20 years. He also raised tobacco and painted. 

Steve was an active member of the New Market Christian Church where he served on the board as President and was the song leader. He also wrote New Market Church History Footprints of Faith.

He was passionate about history and was past President of the North Platte Historical Society Museum and Cultural Center. He enjoyed giving presentations about local communities, the railroad and Interurban. Steve’s hobbies included watching movies, mushroom hunting, fishing, collecting historical artifacts, insect collecting, bird calling, fossil hunting and growing and taking care of plants and flowers. He was an avid sports fan, played slow pitch softball, collected bobble heads and loved coaching for 30 + years. Steve never missed any of his kids’ events or activities and was the king of holiday décor with an emphasis on airblowns. His favorite things in life were family dinners, talking, telling dad jokes and spending time with his family, especially his 4 grandchildren. 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Bonnie Goodlet.

He is survived by his wife Sheila Goodlet; children Adam Goodlet and wife Lisa, Dallas Goodlet and wife Amber and Rayna Vogan and husband David; grandchildren Gabe, Vada, Jovi and Elila; siblings Mike Goodlet and wife Marilyn, Debbie Chesnut and husband Bernard, Barbara Stubbs and husband Ralph and Dave Goodlet and wife Rosie; brother-in-law Loren Paden; sisters-in-law Patti Foster and Esther Paden; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. 

Celebration of Life Service 5:00 p.m. with Visitation and fellowship to follow at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 31st at the Platte Purchase Building at Platte County Fair Grounds. 

Burial Thursday February 1st at 11:00 a.m. at New Market Cemetery

In memory of Steve, donations may be made to the Weston Ed Foundation to go towards the Doc Goodlet Memorial Fund for scholarships for West Platte Students.

Arrangements Hixson-Klein Funeral Home