Obituary of John Goeken

John Delbert Goeken "Jack" Passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 16, 2010 surrounded by his family and friends after a battle with esophageal cancer. Born in Joliet, Il and a Plainfield resident for the last 38 years. A U.S. Army veteran. Jack was truly an innovator and entrepreneurial giant whose accomplishments include the founding of world changing companies such as MCI, Airfone, FTD Floral Network and most recently the Goeken Group, which includes Global Med-Net, Personal Guardian, and the innovative LED lighting company PolyBrite International. His greatest passion was for his family, which included everyone, all his shareholders, their families, all his employees and their families. He loved everyone he ever met. The son of a Lutheran Minister, Jack took great pride in building businesses that help people. He adored his wife, Mona, his partner, mate and best friend who stood beside him for all of their beautiful 59 year marriage. He was proud of his son, Johnny who followed his father as an accomplished pilot and brought great joy to his life in sharing his passion for flying. He loved his daughter Sandra who he infused with his entrepreneurial spirit and who was his "right hand person" for the past 35 years, in every company he started since MCI. To know Jack was to love Jack, because he always had a quick smile, a joke of interesting origins and a kind word. He was very appreciative of people around him. His loyalty and commitment to his shareholders was legendary. In a book that will be coming out shortly called "They Said It Couldn't Be Done" he was criticized even in the early 60's for caring more about his local Joliet investors than any of the national press surrounding the David & Goliath story of how Jack the "Giant Killer" broke the AT&T monopoly to start MCI. He fought a long hard battle for almost 5 years with his sole determination, to see the success of the Goeken Group bring great rewards to his still loyal Joliet Shareholders, his true family. Survived by his wife, Mona Lisa (nee Hallgren) Goeken of Plainfield; daughter, Sandra Goeken (Randy) Miles; son, John A. (Kathy) Goeken; grandchildren, Ashley and Christen Goeken, Lauren Goeken Miles, Jennifer (Eric) Gall, and John John, Aron and Danielle Goeken; great grandson Noah Gall; and two sisters, Ardis L. (late George) Garfield, and Jean A. (late Don) Muhlig; Preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Dr. John A. (1973) and Signe Lydia (nee Swanbeck) Goeken (2001); and brother, George in infancy; Funeral Services for John D. "Jack" Goeken will be Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at First and Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, 55 W. Benton Street, Joliet. Mr. Goeken will lie in state at the church from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Keith Forni Officiating. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park II (Hills of Rest). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a special fund that has been set up in Jack's honor for research and develpoment for green technologies. Donations can be made to John D. Goeken Green Technologies Research Fund at Allied First Bank, 3201 Orchard Road, Oswego, IL Memorial donations can also be made on behalf of John D. Goeken to First Lutheran Church, 55 West Benton Street, Joliet, IL, would be appreciated. Visitation Sunday 2 - 6 pm and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rd., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500