Jack W. Gootee, age 83 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Parkplace Assisted Living following declining health, but a long, full life.  He was born March 13, 1935 in Elwood, the son of William A. and Clara L. (Fowler) Gootee.  Jack was a 1957 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood where he made many lifelong friends.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War where he was a military policeman and rifle range instructor.  Jack was later a police officer and motorcycle patrolman for the Elwood Police Department for 10 years, and retired from the department October 15, 1965.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood, and in recent years attended the Frankton United Methodist Church with friends.

Jack had an interesting life.  He lived in Mexico from 1970 to 1988, and walked from Mexico back to Elwood over a period of many weeks.  He was spotlighted for this achievement in the local newspaper.  He then lived in China from 1989 to 2017 for the first six months of each year, and he loved the Chinese culture.  In addition, he traveled to Israel, Germany, Russia, Egypt, and France.  Jack spoke fluent Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, and Russian.  Jack's living needs were always met in exchange for teaching English to children and adults throughout his travels.  Jack was an outstanding storyteller, and he never knew a stranger wherever he went.  In recent years, he was known for riding his bicycle all around Elwood, and he will be missed by many friends and extended family members.

Jack is survived by his sister, Theresa Gootee of Connersville; friend and caretaker, Jim Cook (wife Diana) of Elwood; many good lifelong friends including Rex Landrum, Tom Connors, Jerry Boruff, and Joe Overdorf; and many extended family members.  Jack was preceded in death by both his parents and a sister, Betty Sollner.

A funeral service celebrating Jack's life will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Monday, September 17, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Nathan Whybrew of the Frankton United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood where military honors will be presented by the U.S. Marines and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 to 2 pm prior to the funeral on Monday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood Shop with a Cop Program through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be offered at copherfeslermay.com.