Don Leroy Goheen, of Downs, Kansas, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025 at the age of 76. Don was born on October 17, 1948 to Delwin L. Goheen and Donna M. (Hofer) Goheen in Beloit, Kansas; the eldest of five children. He graduated from Beloit High School and then attended the North Central Kansas Area Vocational Technical College.
Don spent a number of years working on his grandparent's farm (John and Ida Hofer) near Downs, where he developed a love for metal work and machinery. In 1966, he joined the Kansas National Guard and retired from the U.S. Army after more than 20 years of service. He then farmed north of Downs, raising sheep, cattle, and one very angry goose. After, he began a third career as a machinist for Duane and Kathy Miller at Miller Welding in Downs, Kansas, who treated him like family, and whom he held in the highest regard.
In his downtime, Don enjoyed military documentaries and novels and helped his nephews and nieces appreciate the skills and talents required to keep a farm running, including welding, smithing, baling hay, harvesting, and fence repair. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, they were important words. He had no children, but is survived by his brother, Craig S. Goheen, of Springfield, VA; six nephews and nieces, everyone at Miller Welding, and each person that he has ever taught, helped, fed, or saved, including everyone mentioned, as well as many of their family and friends.
A graveside service will be held at the Rose Valley Cemetery, in Downs, Kansas on Monday, August 25th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Downs Senior Center in care of Schoen Funeral Home And Monuments 1001 Morgan Ave. Downs, Kansas 67437.
Online condolences to schoenfhm.com