Donald Wayne Gobel

GOBEL, DONALD WAYNE, 86, was born at home in Elkins, Arkansas to Jerry Elmer Gobel and Pearl May (Turner) Gobel. He was the youngest of eight children. Albert Gobel, Goldie (Gobel) Stroud, Flossie (Gobel) Stroud, Ethel (Gobel) Sword, John Gobel, Grace (Gobel) Bertelsen and Elizabeth Gobel, deceased at two years old from pneumonia. Grandpa Gobel carried the small casket to the cemetery for her burial.

Don was preceded in death by both parents, all of his siblings, his wife Helen and a grandson Nathaniel Glore. Don married Helen Louise Hurst on December 30, 1958. At the time of her passing, they were married 63 years. Don is survived by his six children: Roger & (Theresa) Gobel, Jerry & (Jami) Gobel, Shelby & (Rebecca) Gobel, Tammy & (Warren) Glore, Donnie & (Trish) Gobel, and Daniel & (Mandy) Gobel. The children all had big families giving Don & Helen 17 grandkids and 44 great grandkids.

Two interesting things about Don were that (1) his real name Donal (no d) Wayne Gobel. He learned this when he received a copy of his birth certificate and (2) His dad's real name was Jeremiah Elmer Gobel. Don did not know this either as his dad had always gone by "Jerry" or "Elmer."

Don was a master mechanic. He worked at multiple automotive dealerships, including several with his nephew Gary Stroud. They were so close in age they were more like brothers and got in trouble like brothers as well.

Don went to work as a shop foreman at Doonan Peterbilt in Liberal, Kansas. After three years, he moved his family back to Wichita as Helen hated Liberal. At that time, he went to work as the Service Manager at Eck-Raul Ford in Newton, Kansas. He later left there and went to a dealership in Augusta, Kansas. Eventually, Don took a manufacturing job in the maintenance department at Steffens (Hiland) Dairy where he retired after working there for 25 years. Hiland called him back after that as contract labor where he worked another 10 years.

Don loved anything with 2 or 4 wheels. He was a Ford man through and through. So much so that Gary commented that Don would have a fit if he knew he was riding in a General Motors hearse. Don raced at the Great Bend airport in some of the early days of drag racing. He also had the old number 36 at the 81 Speedway. Don loved Nascar, went to several races and watched them from home every Saturday and Sunday.

Don also loved to hunt quail, pheasant and turkey. He spent a lot of time in the woods and fields with his sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons. He taught safety and to not take a bad shot. Those were some of the family's best memories. Cody and Josh both especially enjoyed the food Helen packed to take on the hunting trips!

Above all, Don was a devout Christian and serious soul winner. God allowed him to lead many people to Christ. Don was the original unashamed Christian. He was a charter member of East Side Baptist Church which later became Brookhaven Baptist Church. He was instrumental in all phases of purchasing the land and building where Brookhaven called its home. Don was one of many involved in the process and was

thankful God allowed him to be a part of it. Don served on the Trustee Board, was a Sunday School teacher, usher and any other jobs that Pastor Reid asked him to do.

Don and Helen started their lives as a couple by being baptized together. Don set the bar of integrity very high for his family. He hated alcohol, taking God's name in vain and anything that was against God's word. He was a great testimony and source of strength and wisdom for his wife, family, friends and coworkers.

A visitation with the family present will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 5, 2025 at Crossroads Baptist Church, 11441 E. Central Ave., Wichita. Funeral Service will also be at Crossroads Baptist Church at Noon on Saturday, September 6, 2025 with interment to follow at Bruno Township Cemetery in Andover.

Memorial donations in Donald's memory may be made to Crossroads Baptist Church, 11441 E. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67206.

We will miss him more than words can say. We love you Dad.

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