Jesse Wayne Gooden, 53, of Moravia, Iowa passed away on July 1, 2025 at his home. He was born on December 20, 1971 in Bloomfield to Jesse Roy and Connie Kay Norton Gooden. He served in the Iowa National Guard and was deployed to Germany during Desert Storm. On July 3, 2005 he married Shannon Coleman in Moravia.
Wayne worked for many years as a machinist before he became an over the road truck driver. He loved spending time with his family, collecting antiques, playing cards, fishing, taking care of his cats, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. Wayne had a big heart, loved to make people laugh, and always seemed to be the life of the party. He will be forever missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Shannon Gooden; two daughters, Katy (Drew) Nelson of Floris, Madalyn (Nicholas Holtkamp) Gooden of Salem; two grandchildren, Drake and Violet Nelson; parents, Jesse and Connie Gooden of Bloomfield, Iowa; brother, Scott Gooden of Lakeland, Fla.; sister, Christina Gooden of Bloomfield; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Bradley Joe “B.J.” Gooden; grandparents, Clell and Evelyn Norton, Hubert and Susan Gooden; and father-in-law, Russell Coleman.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Dennis Beeson officiating. Burial will be at the Barker Cemetery in Scotland County, Missouri. Military rites will be performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to his family.
