Keith King Goodman

Keith King Goodman 1946 - 2018 Keith King Goodman died February 25, 2018 at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, of heart and organ failures. His wife Estrellita and family members were present when he passed. According to his wishes he will be cremated and there will be no service. Keith was born August 16, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of Madeline King Goodman and Richard (Dick) Kenneth Goodman. Madeline was a secretary and Dick was reporter at the Chicago Herald American newspaper. The births of Keith's siblings, Dane and Marilyn, followed during the next three years. Their father died unexpectedly in September 1949. Their mother then moved the family to Lincoln, Illinois to be closer to Dick's parents, Harry and Nellie Goodman. Throughout grade school, junior high and high school, Keith was a good student with a contrarian streak, excelling in school sports, playing football, basketball and track. When he played summer league baseball he was an All-Star. He would later coach Little League baseball when he was in the Air Force. Keith's mother re-married in 1956 and later his two youngest brothers were born, Jett and Tighe Racobs. The family moved to Decatur, Illinois in 1962 where Keith attended Eisenhower High School. Besides his athletics, Keith was involved in student council and theatrical productions. At EHS he began his life long friendship with a large group of classmates. Upon graduation from high school in 1964 Keith studied at Milliken University and Southern Illinois University. He returned to Decatur and worked for Firestone Tire Corporation. In August 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his four military years, he was stationed in Texas, Hawaii, the Philippines and Michigan. In Angels City, P.I., he met, courted, and married the love of his life, Estrellita Pingul. Their marriage in 1968 would last for fifty years. It was a true match of love, humor, intelligence, and hard work. They moved to the United States, to Michigan, for Keith's final period of Air Force service. While there, Keith took classes at Northern Michigan University and Estre began a U.S. citizenship application process that she accomplished after five years. Keith and Estre eventually sponsored thirteen members of Estre's family to become U.S. citizens. After being honorably discharged from the military in July 1970, Keith and Estre moved to Normal, Illinois so Keith could attend Illinois State University. While there Estre worked at the local hospital. Keith finished his classwork and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. After graduation he was hired by Caterpillar, a Fortune 100 corporation, and moved to Peoria, Illinois to work in the corporate offices. During his sixteen years at Caterpillar he was a supervisor of payroll and special projects and was a member of the National Association of Accountants. He later transferred with Caterpillar to Aurora, Illinois. There he also did course work towards an MBA at Northern Illinois University. During this period Estre was the surgery office manager at Copley Hospital. In 1982, Keith and Estre opened their first, and one of the nation's earliest, Mail Box, Etc. store in Naperville, Illinois. When Keith left Caterpillar in 1988, he and Estre became major MBE franchisers, opening 100 stores in Chicago area and central Illinois. In 1998, Keith and Estre sold their operations and retired to Las Vegas where built a beautiful home to host family and friends. Keith obtained his real estate license but decided full retirement was more to his liking. Estre chose to work as a casino dealer, which she continues to do. Keith had a rich, full life. He was an avid reader, had a large collection of movies, and an appetite for news of the day. He and Estre loved music and live performances, attending countless shows in Las Vegas. They played tennis, golfed, bowled, line danced, and gambled. Keith went on to become a competitive American Corn Hole player and league leader Throughout his life, Keith Goodman was an individual, start to finish. He spoke his mind, did what he wanted. He was smart, funny, hard working, and generous. While he liked to present a gruff exterior he had a soft heart. One niece called him her second dad. His files are full of memorabilia with family and friends' pictures and letters. Keith lived up to his name - he was a very good man. He will be sorely missed. Keith is survived by his beloved wife, Estrellita, her six brothers, eight sisters, thirty six nieces and nephews, and fifteen great nieces and nephews; his brothers, Dane, Jett, and Tighe; three nieces, three great nieces and nephews, two cousins, and one uncle. Keith is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marilyn, and Estre's sister, Josie, and brother, Bobby.

Keith King Goodman

August 16, 1946 - February 25, 2018