Michael Jon Hobus

Michael Jon Hobus, beloved child of God, is at eternal peace in the presence of his Lord and 

Savior, Jesus. On September 7, 2024, he closed his eyes to this earthly home and opened them to God’s promised comfort and glory.

Michael was born to Pastor Robert A. and Alice O. Hobus on July 28, 1961, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was baptized on August 13th of the same year. In his early teens, he formally and publicly confirmed his faith, the very faith that sustained him through his battle with pancreatic cancer. To the end, Michael steadfastly testified with words and actions that “God is good,”refusing to let the disease steal his conviction and hope.

Growing up, Michael loved being outside. "Hobie”, as he was often called, trekked through gullies, raced bikes over scrap wood ramps, and played daredevil games made up to test his skills and bravery. As an adult, Michael’s love for the outdoors remained. With his ingenuity, ample muscles, and sheer determination, he turned cedar saplings into fence posts around a chicken coop built from scavenged barn wood. He broke old concrete foundations into one-of a-kind landscaping blocks. He hammered slate from the cliffs of Montana, and with it, formed steps and a bubbler in his ever-expanding garden. The youngest in the Hobus family, Michael grew up with more “guardian angels” than most. 

Three of them came in the form of big brothers, Paul, David, and Steve. Along with their father, they taught him to safely and responsibly shoot and hunt, a hobby he continued throughout adulthood. Under their tutelage, Michael also learned to work on cars, defend himself, and excel in football, which he played with fierce passion through college.

On his own, however, Michael became the man loved by so many. In every category, he stood out: Father, friend, husband, brother, boss, uncle, therapist, colleague, and neighbor. His straightforward manner and high expectations were coupled with a grand sense of humor and a heart that matched his impressive stature. Michael could always be counted on to be fair, fun, strong-minded, and Godly. He was eager to serve and to stand steady with others if he sensed questionable treatment. It even seemed, at times, that he relished a good snowstorm or trouble with a hornet’s nest so that he could put his helping heart and hands into action. 

He ran a “tight ship” but walked through the kitchen belting out his imitations of Clint Eastwood or the Hump Day Camel. He serenaded while he washed dishes. He danced while he made a sandwich. He played a non-existent saxophone and delighted others with bird calls and wild animal impressions. At the end of a serious workday, he initiated enthusiastic games of rolling stool basketball or paper football. On special occasions, he rallied co-workers in an unconventional but harmless tradition involving lots of duct tape and a tank of water. Michael managed to do what was difficult; be a boss and a friend, a director and a confidante.

It was said, unprompted, by several people over the years that Michael defied categories. The comment would be a close paraphrase of “I’ve never known anyone quite like you,” offered with a puzzled smile. Even those who knew him best were at a loss to define him. This was not intentional on his part; it was simply who he was: a beautiful, unique combination of God-given skills, passions, and talents.

Michael lived in several states while growing up, but he claimed to be a Kansas boy. He graduated from high school in Wichita and earned two bachelor's degrees from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. Later, he received his master’s degree in physical therapy from KU Medical Center. He worked 26 years as a therapist and department director at Cox Health in Springfield, Missouri. Later, he took a position in a private clinic in Marshfield where he remained until his cancer surfaced in the fall of 2022.

On September 1, 1990, Michael and Donna (Symank) Hobus were married at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. They celebrated 34 years together just days before his passing. They added two children to their family, Amber and Kevin, and were later blessed with a daughter-in law and three grandchildren. Answering to Daddio, Popster, and Papa, Michael was a proud and loyal “head of the family.” 

Michael is survived by his wife, Donna, daughter Amber Hobus, son Kevin (Hannah) Dobbs and their children, Juniper, John, and Lewis; Brothers, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law: Paul (the late Angela) Hobus, David (Barbara) Hobus, Steve (Mary) Hobus. Douglas (Kathryn) Symank, Carrol (Cheryl) Symank, Ron Symank, the late Jeff (Kathryn, [the late Shari]) Symank, and Yvonne Symank. Mother-in-Law, Bernie Symank. Surviving nieces and nephews include Ryan (Priscilla) Hobus, the late Matthew (Joy [Hobus] Hume), Jacob (Alex) Hobus, Paul (Alyssa) Hobus, Micah (Melanie) Hobus, Andrew (Nicole) Hobus, Amanda (Brian) Gauthier, Isaiah (Erica) Hobus, Jackie (Michael) Mahlmann, William Symank, Emma Symank, Cara (Michael) Parker, Christen (Andy) Huntley, and Amanda (Elvin) Lara. Also, numerous friends and extended family survive.

Michael was also preceded in death by his parents, an unnamed infant brother, and father-in-law Herman Symank.

Visitation will be held Friday morning, September 13, from 9:30-11:00 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nixa, Missouri. A service will be held immediately following the visitation, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Pastor Jarod Koenig officiating. Committal will be at Hopedale Cemetery in Ozark where Michael will be laid to rest by his parents.

Memorials can be made to 88.3 The Wind FM Christian radio station in Springfield, Missouri. 

Michael was a longtime supporter and listener and greatly valued their uplifting, spiritual music and dialogue.

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” Job 19:25-26