Pamela Lois Goheen

Pamela Lois Goheen, age 58, of Richland, MI, died Thursday morning, April 11, 2013 at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo, MI, following a lengthy illness and surrounded by her loving family. Pam, the daughter of David and Margie (Kline) Parker, was born on August 10, 1954 and was a lifetime area resident. She was a 1972 graduate of Kalamazoo Loy Norrix High School with a scholarship in business law to Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Pam also attended Western Michigan University and holds several certifications in paralegal training from the Philadelphia Institute of Paralegal Training. Pam worked in the Legal Department of the former Upjohn Company for 26 years; and when that job ended, she worked for Willis Law with adoptions, Medicaid planning, employment matters and contract review being her primary areas of practice. She was also Operations Manager for a number of years. Pam was an active member of the Richland Area Relay for Life, a driving force behind her team, The Parker Pride. For three of the past five years of her involvement, she was the area Survivor Speaker. She won the coveted Upjohn Award in 1988 and in 2001, won the Willis Award for her unrelenting and extraordinary dedication to the success of the firm; she was a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants since 1992 and had been a Den Mother for the Richland Area Cub Scouts from 1982 until 1985. On September 1, 1979 at Crooked Lake in Delton, MI, Pam was united in marriage to Gary Richard Goheen. Surviving is her husband of 33 years, Gary; her three sons, Michael David (Elizabeth) Cross-Goheen of Denver, CO, Richard Clayton-Israel (Blair) Goheen and Justin Gary (Shana) Goheen, both of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren, Bethany, Ethan, Mason, Alexis, Cameron, Kolby and Parker; her father, Dave Parker of Delton; three sisters, Diane Hilda Parker and Laurie Ann Taylor, both of Delton and Wendy Louise (Jeff) Conklin of Hickory Corners, MI; and her best friend of 47 years, Pat (John) DeKoff of Portage, MI. Pam was preceded in death by her mom, Margie in 1991. The Memorial Service to celebrate Pam's life will be held on Sunday, April 21st at 4:00 PM at the New Hope Church, 9300 East D Avenue (M-89), Richland, MI with the Rev. Jan David DeWitt, Pastor and the Rev Edward C. Ross, Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church of Lansing, officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland. Friends will be received at the Church on Sunday from 3:00 PM until service time. A time of fellowship and a luncheon will continue Pam's life celebration immediately following the committal service in the Church Social Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pam's honor may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 1400 West Milham
Road, Portage, MI 49024. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel (269-629-6022) is in charge of all the arrangements.