Gary L. Dobereiner

Gary L. Dobereiner, 85, of Silvis passed away Sunday, October 27, 2024 at his home. 

A memorial service will be 11:00am Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis with visitation 1 hour prior to service time. Memorials may be made to Genesis Hospice, St. John Methodist Church in Sebring, FL, or First Baptist Church of Silvis. 

Gary was born January 21, 1939 in Moline, IL the son of Alvin and Margaret Dobereiner. He was a 1957 graduate of UTHS where he was a 3-sport athlete earning 9 varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He was inducted into the UTHS hall of fame in 1994. Gary married Carol Kidd in October of 1958. He later married Patricia Johnson in August of 1976. He was employed as an insurance adjuster and claims manager for 35 years. He retired from Auto Owners Insurance Company in 2000. 

Gary played professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers from 1959 to 1961. He was involved in fast pitch softball from 1962 to 1969, playing for Hamms Beer, Rock Island Argus, Harrelson Motors, and Rock Falls Bombers. The Harrelson Motor team won the world tournament naming Gary as the All-World Player 5 times. In 2000, he was inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame. 

Gary was a member of Highlands Ridge Golf Course. He enjoyed all sports activities and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him and loved him. He was one of a kind.

Gary is survived by his wife Patricia “Pat”; children Scott (Katheryn) Dobereiner, Krista Cooper, and Jennifer (Darren) Reynolds; grandchildren Allen (Melissa) Dobereiner, Tamyra (Jason) Tarrence, Kassidy Cooper, and Isabel Cooper; great grandchildren Tyler Dobereiner, Stella Dobereiner, Cooper Dobereiner, Annie Tarrence, and Asher Tarrence; siblings Peggy (Tom) Bokros, Larry (Vicki) Dobereiner, Cheryl (Brice McKinney) McClure, Craig (Cheryl Brush) Dobereiner, Bill (Kathy) Dobereiner, Marge Schroder, Jon (Sherry) Dobereiner and several cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Carol Kidd.