Anita Jane Godwin

Anita Jane Godwin, the daughter of Roy and Iva (Whitver) Atherton, was born December 15, 1923, on the family farm near Walnut, Illinois and died October 8, 2020, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 96 years, 9 months, and 23 days.

When Anita was four years old, the family moved into the town of Walnut, where her family was in grain elevator business. Anita was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Walnut. She attended the Walnut community schools and graduated with the High School Class of 1940. Following high school, Anita attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, which at that time was a two-year college. While at a mixer, she met her future husband Tom Godwin, who was attending Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri. Later he graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, took fighter pilot training and was stationed in the Philippines. Anita transferred to the University of Iowa and while studying there, she became a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. In 1944, Anita received her degree in business and returned to Walnut and worked at the family grain elevator business.

On June 27, 1948, she was united in marriage to Thomas J. Godwin at the Methodist Church in Walnut, Illinois. They were blessed with three children: Thomas Atherton, Douglas Bernard “Bernie”, and Cynthia Louise. Tom was honorably discharged, and they moved to Exira, Iowa. Anita was a home maker taking care of Tom and raising the children. Anita moved to the Exira Care Center in March of 2019 and Tom died August 15, 2019.

Anita was a member of the Exira Christian Church. During retirement, Anita and Tom enjoyed doing many activities together. Anita enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and playing golf.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Thomas J. Godwin; her son, Douglas “Bernie” Godwin; her parents; and her brother-in-law, Roy Atherton.

Survivors include her children: Thomas Godwin of Exira, Iowa and Cynthia and husband John Ryan of Darien, Connecticut; her grandchildren: David and wife Laura Ryan and Jack and wife Molly Ryan, all of Darien; Anne and husband Patrick Nolan of New York City, New York; Tom Godwin of Kansas City, Kansas; Captain Charles Godwin of Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and Margaret Godwin of Kansas City, Missouri; her great-grandchildren, Paige Atherton Ryan and Vivienne Rose Ryan, both of Darien; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Atherton of Walnut, Illinois; a niece, nephews, other relatives and friends. Anita’s family would like to thank everyone for their kindness to Anita especially the staff of the Exira Care Center.

There will be a viewing Friday, October 16, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Graveside services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be David Ryan, Jack Ryan, Anne Nolan, Thomas Godwin, Charles Godwin, and Margaret Godwin