HOLDEN — Elmer L. “Lee'' Goodman, 79, of 68 Reservoir St., a World War II veteran and a retired sales representative, died Friday, Oct. 20, at home after an illness.He leaves his wife of 56 years, Elodie (Sjoberg) Goodman; a son, Philip E. Goodman of Rutland; a daughter, Susan E. Mortell of Paxton; a brother, Ralph E. Goodman of Lincoln,R.I.; three grandchildren; two nephews and a niece. A brother, Earl Goodman of Conway, N.H., predeceased him. He was born in Providence, son of William A. and Henrietta (Lewis) Goodman, and lived here 48 years. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, Providence. He was a Navy veteran of World War II.

Mr. Goodman was a sales representative 30 years for Butler Dearden Co., Boylston, where he earned numerous sales awards, retiring in 1986.

He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and its parish council, and the Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland. He and his family survived the area's 1953 tornado, which destroyed their home. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in Immanuel Lutheran Church, 346 Shrewsbury St. Burial was in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UMass Memorial Hospice, 43 Harvard St., Worcester, MA 01609; or to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 346 Shrewsbury St., Holden, MA 01520. Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., is directing arrangements.