Nicholas "Nick" E. Godfrey

Nicholas “Nick” E Godfrey passed away peacefully at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo on August

19, 2026. Nick was born on October 8th, 1942 in Kokomo, Indiana. He graduated class of 1960

from Prairie High School, where he met the love of his life, Diana. The two married on April 9,

1965, and spent the next 61 years growing a beautiful family and life together. Nick enlisted in

the Army National Guard at just 17 years old. He was a millwright at Chrysler Casting Plant for

14 years, as well as starting and operating Godfrey’s Insulation for over 30 years. Nick had a

love and passion for farming. He grew up farming and instilled the love of farming in the

generations that follow him. He enjoyed working on and collecting antique tractors, namely his

Massey Harris tractors which he displayed at various shows and fairs across central Indiana.

Nick was a member of several antique tractor groups and enjoyed traveling across the country to

find parts and attend shows. Nick was a longtime member and Past Master of the Russiaville

Masonic Lodge and most recently a member at the New London Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed

fishing in Canada, going to the Indy 500, and spending time with his family and friends. On any

given day, you could find Nick enjoying a breakfast date with Diana at Fritatta’s, working on

tractors on the farm, and admiring his hummingbirds by the front window of the house.

Nick is preceded in death by his parents, Edward H Godfrey and Vigrinia Nixon-Godfrey, a

niece, Amanda (Hinkle) Gumble, and beloved “Baxter Dog” who passed away just last fall.

Nick is survived by his wife, Diana Godfrey, children: Rustin (Lisa) Godfrey, Rodney (Natalie)

Godfrey, and Denise (Brian Zimmerman) Godfrey, grandchildren: Andrew (Tiffany) Godfrey,

Mason (Caitie) Godfrey, Lauren (Wyatt Sims) Godfrey, Taylor Godfrey, Nathan Barger, Dylan

Barger, great-grandchildren: AJ & Camden Godfrey, sister Jody (Marvin) Howell, a

brother-in-law Lloyd (Linda) Hinkle, a bonus-son, Pat (Megan) Reel, a bonus-grandaughter,

Harlee Reel, nieces: Raynee Elmore and Ashley Shoaff, and nephews: Andy Unger and Matt

(Julie) Unger.

Nick had written a small obituary, and in it he described a memorable moment on a fishing trip

to Canada when he knocked a fish off his wife’s line with a net, “He watched otters play, saw

lynx, eagles take fish from the lake, watched baby loons ride on their mother’s back, saw black

bears, and moose play with their calves, while drinking from the lake.” In true Nick Godfrey

fashion, at the end of his obituary, he wished “Everyone enjoys the rest of their day.” He wanted

nothing fancy, for no one to dwell over his passing; instead, to celebrate the life that was lived

and enjoyed. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.