GADSDEN, Ala. – Dr. Elwood Leslie Goss, 90, of Gadsden, Ala., formerly of Poland, died Feb. 18, in Alabama.

He was born March 9, 1917, in Poland, the fifth son of the late Harry A. and Ruby Edwards Goss. He was a graduate of Mechanic Falls High School and a graduate of Providence Bible Institute in 1937.

He was ordained as an American Baptist minister in 1938 at Halldale Baptist Church, North Montville. He was an Army chaplain from 1943 to 1946, serving in Europe as a captain in the 142nd Infantry 36th Division.

He and Bernadine Timmerman were married Nov. 22, 1948. He received a doctor of theology degree in 1951 at Central Baptist Seminary, Kansas City, Kan. He served pastorates in Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana and Pennsylvania and did denominational work in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In retirement, he served as a full time interim minister for 16 American Baptist churches.

He was a member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Birmingham and North Livermore Baptist Church, Livermore. He joined the YMCA upon arrival in Gadsden in 1988 and seldom missed a weekday early morning workout and swim. In later years, he did research in genealogy and was zealous in his endeavors for prison reform.

He is survived by Bernadine, his wife of 59 years; three daughters, Louise (Dennis) Marten of Lane, Kan., Bonnie (Leroy) Skeers of Edmonds, Wash., and Donna (Charles) Olander of Leesburg, Ala.; son, Barry (Naomi) Goss of Birmingham, Ala.; seven grandchildren, Joshua (Lauren) Olander, Justin (Brandy) Olander, Jasmine Olander and Julian Olander, Nathan Goss, John Harrison Goss and Kelsey Skeers; and one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth (Ellie) Olander.

He was predeceased by his sister, Faith Talbot; and five brothers, Harold, William, Paul, Julian and Ara Goss.