Mildred "Elaine" Gossett

Mildred “Elaine” Gossett, of Fort Wayne, IN formerly of Mattoon, IL peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Golden Years Homestead in Fort Wayne, IN. A funeral service in her honor will be held at noon, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938; Reverend Todd Krost will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow in Mound Cemetery in Charleston, IL. The visitation will be held the same day from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Elaine was born on December 25, 1926, in Harristown, IL to the late Albert Lysander and Mildred Maude (Crawford) Black. She married Edwin “Dale” Gossett on March 30, 1968; he preceded her in death on April 30, 2014. She is survived by two sons, Max Eugene “Gene” McKee and wife Christi of Las Vegas, NV, Mark Allen McKee and wife Beth of New Haven, IN; two stepchildren: Erin Sherer and husband George of Paris, IL, Joseph Gossett and wife Kathleen of Springfield, IL; daughter-in-law, Diana Gossett of Mattoon, IL; eight grandchildren, nine step grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Michael McKee; two daughters, Patricia Sullivan and Christine McKee; one stepson, Michael Gossett; three brothers, Albert Jr., Robert and Mildrehn “Major” Black. In 1971, Mildred retired from General Electric in Mattoon, IL before joining the catalog department at JC Penney. A dedicated community member, she served as a past treasurer for the Paradise Unit of the Coles County Home Extension and volunteered her time with the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Volunteer Guild. She also enjoyed visiting residents in local nursing homes. A woman of unwavering faith, she was a longtime pillar of the First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Chancel Choir, St. Mary’s Circle, and the Champion Sunday School Class. In her quieter moments, she found joy in traveling, genealogy, and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. Above all, she deeply loved her family and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Memorials in her honor may be made to Mattoon First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Mildred "Elaine" Gossett

December 25, 1926 - April 29, 2026