Michele Marie Goss

Michele Marie Goss, of Warsaw, went home to be with her Lord and Savior after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She passed away at 3:36 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne at the age of 57. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
She was born on Nov. 28, 1966, in Cumberland, Md., to Barbara Ann Knippengerg and Richard Curtis Gragg. She would later become a big sister to Laura Gragg Gott. Her youth in Maryland was spent playing with her neighborhood friends, and music was always a part of her life. Singing at her local church and in Brethren Youth Conference competitions. After graduation she attended Grace College in Winona Lake and earned a bachelor’s degree, in biblical studies, with a minor in behavioral science and later a transition to a teaching degree. It was at Grace College that she met her future husband and they settled in the Warsaw area. On June 7, 1986, she married Andrew Lyle Goss, who survives. They were blessed with 37 years of marriage before Michele passed away.
Together they touched many lives serving God, including the lives of their three daughters: Angela (Cody) Thompson, Warsaw; Jessica (Jon) Burch, Columbia City; and Melissa Goss, Fort Wayne; as well as their beloved four grandchildren: Noah and Rebecca Thompson and Graham and Penelope Burch. Also surviving is her mother, Barbara Gragg; and her sister, Laura Gott, both of Springfield, Mo. Michele was preceded in death by her father, Richard Gragg in 2015; aunt, grandparents and her son, Benjamin.
Michele spent 24 years serving Christ as a teacher at Lakeland Christian Academy, where she taught Bible, Spanish, psychology and sociology. More recently she worked at Provident Family Healthcare in Warsaw, she greeted many a patient with a friendly smile over the years and was the friendly voice answering phone calls, setting up appointments and had the patience to dealing with insurance companies.
Her faith was never a question, and her warmth could light up a room. She loved the outdoors, from hunting with her father or taking multiple trips a year to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. There were so many things she loved about her trips to Tennessee, at the top of that list was seeing black bears. Michele cherished her family and greatly enjoyed watching them perform whether on a stage or in athletics. She loved taking family trips to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park where they would spend the days hiking, biking and of course looking for bears.
Her three surviving daughters always had event filled summers thanks to her creativity. Music filled the house on a daily basis and if she knew company would be coming by, she would hurry to ensure the house was clean and food available for everyone to enjoy. Her grandchildren always had some kind of snack to take home with them because “that’s what Grammies do!” Michele loved drinking a cup of hot tea while grading school papers, reading a book, when it was raining, when not feeling well, or just because. She enjoyed capturing the moments in her family’s life always behind the camera taking photos. While going through her cancer treatments she put her creativity and kindness to work by crocheting. She always had a crochet project she was working on from dishcloths to sleeping angel blankets. Her doctor’s fondest memory of her was how Michele always carried a smile regardless of how heavy the news was that she received.
Michele will be dearly missed here on Earth, her family REJOICES in knowing that she fought her battle with cancer with more strength than most. She was respected for her intellect and appreciated for her heart and tender spirit. Her beautiful freckled face with her seemingly ubiquitous smile brought joy to so many. A devoted Christian, a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many, she will be greatly missed. She touched many lives while she was with us, and her family takes additional comfort in knowing that one day they will be reunited!
Michele’s life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Christ’s Covenant Church, 2090 E. Pierceton Road, Winona Lake, and officiated by Pastor Larry Goss. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Lakeland Christian Academy, 1093 S. 250 E., Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.