Linn Carr Goldsmith

Linn Carr Goldsmith, December 14, 1934-August 22, 2014 Linn Goldsmith was born on December 14, 1934, to Frederick Carr Goldsmith and Edith Linn Goldsmith of Mattoon, Illinois. Linn's father was on the cutting edge of refrigeration sales in the 1940s and that business took the family to Chicago where Linn spent his early life. At the age of fifteen, the family moved to a farm outside of Crawfordsville, Indiana, where Linn spent the remainder of his teen years enjoying small town farm life and graduating from high school. He attended Purdue University, met the love of his life, Susan Goldsmith, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and in 1956 he earned a B.S. in agricultural economics. In 1957 Linn and Susan wed in Indianapolis. Immediately following their nuptials the young newlyweds deployed to Okinawa, Japan, where Linn served as an officer in the Air Force. After three years of service, Linn and Susan returned to the United States, now a young family with daughter Margaret and newborn son Richard. Linn worked full-time supporting the family while attending the University of Chicago School of Law. He earned his J.D, graduating at the top of his class, began employment at Mayer, Brown, and Platt law firm in Chicago and enjoyed the arrival of his third child, daughter Carol. Through a series of connections and fortunate events, Linn was introduced to attorney Durley Boyle of Hennepin, Illinois, who was looking for a law partner of stature to join his law practice. Durley felt that Linn was his man, so Linn moved his young wife and family to Granville, Illinois, in 1965. Thus began the law firm of Boyle and Goldsmith, for decades one of the most well-respected law firms in central Illinois, consistently earning the American Bar Association's highest honors. The firm continued to grow and expand its success in the following years with the arrival of Scott Shore and Roger Bolin. Linn was busy in for the next thirty years running the thriving law practice, raising a family, and following his passion for gardening, hunting, and voraciously reading history, economics, and science. His peers knew him as a formidable foe in the courtroom, a man of the deepest possible integrity, and a fair and just attorney. His family knew him as a devoted husband, and a dedicated, wise, fascinating, and loving father. His friends knew him as exceptionally good company, a man with an infectious sense of humor, and a tireless hunting companion. In 1987 Linn and Susan built their dream home in Hennepin Farms, Illinois. Susan perfected the inside of the home to her taste while Linn created a showplace of flower and vegetable gardens. In those years Linn and Susan enjoyed traveling to such locales as Egypt, Africa, and the Mediterranean. After Linn retired from the law firm, he and Susan spent many happy years between their beloved home in Hennepin Farms and their winter home in Naples, Florida. In addition, they loved spending time with their three children's families and eight beautiful grandchildren. Linn will be remembered and cherished for his love and devotion to his wife and family, profound sense of ethics, indefatigable work ethic, and intellectual command. Linn is preceded in death by his wife Susan. Linn is survived by his three children; Margaret (Scott) Idlas of Appleton, Wisconsin, Richard (Jane) Goldsmith of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Carol (Chris) Rich of Geneva, Illinois; eight grandchildren: Amy (Brandon) Cavalier, Nicole (Weston) Richardson, Jessica Goldsmith, Daniel Goldsmith, John and Stephen Idlas, and Christopher and Madeline Rich. Also, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Edith Goldsmith of Oklahoma City, and his brother and sister-in law, Arthur and Nancy Baxter, of Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as many nephews and nieces.

Service/Memorial Information

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 26, from 4:00-5:30 at Dysart - Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville. A memorial service to follow at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Karen Karczewski will officiate.

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