Robert "Doc" Burns Goodin

Robert ("Doc") Burns Goodin, DVM, died on January 27, 2022. Doc was born on November 28, 1934 in Orion Township, Fulton Co., Canton, IL to Ernest A. and Blanche Burns Goodin. He married Barbara "Bobbie" Browning on April 19, 1959. She survives along with four children: Catherine (Graeme) Thomson of Chicago, Cynthia (Tom) Smith-Brannan of Beardstown, Glen Goodin of Virginia, and Christy (Toby) Brake of Beardstown; seven grandchildren: Roxanne Thomson, Jeffrey (Casey) Smith, Kyle Smith, Abby (Kyler) Rice, Sydney Goodin, Emma Goodin, and Ryan Brake; and two great-grandchildren: Addison Smith and Lyla May Rice. Doc was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry (Linda) Goodin.

Doc grew up on the family farm. He was a 4-H member from the age of 10 and was a delegate to the 1951 National 4-H Congress. He entered Western Illinois University at the age of 16. Upon graduation, he purchased a sow, Perfect Beauty, for $95. Doc credited purebred swine for his interest in becoming a veterinarian. Thanks in part to the proceeds from Perfect Beauty, he was able to attend the University of Illinois, where he graduated in 1958 with honors from the veterinarian program. He was a member of Phi Zeta Nu Honor Society of Veterinarian Medicine and Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity. Doc practiced large and small animal medicine for over 40 years in Virginia IL, where he founded Cass Veterinary Services.
Doc and his brother Larry ran the Goodin Brothers hog business, sustaining a national reputation for outstanding breeding stock for more than 65 years. The highlight of the partnership was the breeding and raising the Grand Champion barrow over 1,300 head at the 1954 International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. Doc received the IL FFA State Farmer Degree and mentored numerous 4-H and FFA youths while attending the U of I. Helping kids and advising other elite breeders is what Doc was noted for. In 2018, Doc received the Distinguished Service Award from the Poland China Swine Association.
Doc sat on the Board of Directors for the First State Bank of Beardstown for 24 years. In 1977, he built and owned Cass Meats, a custom slaughter/processing plant and retail meat market in Virginia. He was an active member of the Virginia United Methodist Church, serving on many church committees. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, poker, and coon and mushroom hunting with his dear friends and family.

Visitation will be held at the Virginia United Methodist Church on Monday, February 7th, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., with Pastor Joe Tomich officiating at the funeral service immediately thereafter. Interment will follow at Walnut Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to the scholarship fund of the Virginia United Methodist Church or the Cass County Fair Board Robert Goodin Memorial for 4-H.
Oaks-Hines Funeral and Crematory in Canton are in charge of arrangements. To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.