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BORN
1929
DIED
2023
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James Goebbert Obituary
Born: May 28, 1929
Died: June 17, 2023
James Henry Goebbert, 94, of Huntley, died peacefully at his home on June 17, 2023.
James was born May 28, 1929, the son of George and Ernestine Goebbert. On June 8, 1929 he was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church. He graduated from Arlington Heights High School and went on to serve in the United States Marines from 1951-1953. On November 17, 1956, he married Esther Von Bergen at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Itasca, IL. He served on the Cook County Extension Council for six years. In 1974 he was elected to the Cook County Farm Bureau and served in various roles until 2006.
Jim from an early age had a strong work ethic while tending his family's farm. In 1972, Jim bought his own 40 acre farm in South Barrington and moved his family there. Jim's three children started selling pumpkins on the roadside in 1973 which started the annual fall festivals that have become a tradition for many local families. Jim owned and operated Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center in South Barrington and Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch in Pingree Grove.
Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Esther, his children, Luanne (Curtis) Smith, Lee (Diane) Goebbert, Lloyd (Terry) Goebbert, by his grandchildren, Kelly (Ross) Conner, Ben (Jen) Goebbert, Jessica (Simon) Crass, Jacob (Heather) Goebbert, James (Brittany) Goebbert, John (Luis) Smith, and Ryan (Kaleigh) Smith. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and by his sister, Lilah Lichthardt.
James was preceded in death by his parents George and Ernestine Goebbert and his brother-in-law Eugene Lichthardt.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, from 3-8pm at The Venue at Goebbert's Farm - 42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove, IL 60140. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 9-10am followed by a funeral service at 10am at Immanuel Lutheran Church - 310 E. Main Street, East Dundee, IL 60118. The burial will be in Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church Foundation, Immanuel Lutheran School, or to a charity of one's choice.
For further information please contact the funeral home at (847) 515-8772, and online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Goebbert
Sponsored by DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service.
Susan Terronez
June 29, 2023
I did not know your beloved James, but my memories of bicycling and seeing the farm's guiding light above the trail; a signal that this was a place of historical significance, compel me to say I send love and honor your way.
John T Burnidge
June 27, 2023
Sympathy to all the Geobbert Family
Pete Pena
June 24, 2023
I started working for Jim in 1963 while going to school all my working values came from Jim, George and Tiny, what great memories my greatest treat was coming back from the Water Market and Mr. Goebbert would stop at steak and egger restaurant
Pete Pena
Leonard Bunge
June 23, 2023
A respected giant in values,work,family and in every good way!
Pete Peters
June 22, 2023
I had the pleasure of knowing Jim for the past 30 plus years and he is the most caring, humble, kindest person I have ever met. He will be missed.
The Michelotti Family
June 22, 2023
Such a sad loss of a great visionary, family man and business leader. Deepest condolences and sympathy to the entire Goebbert Family. May God bless James Goebbert for all eternity, and may God bless his family at this very sad time.
Deepest sympathies-
The Michelotti Family
Jory Kay Bartman
June 22, 2023
My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of a great man. Many memories from St John Bowling team of Dad's. So many pumpkin memories as well.
Prayers for healing.
Jory Kay Bartman
Hope Duval
June 21, 2023
It was a pleasure knowing and working for Mr. Goebbert. My sincerest condolences to the family during this time.
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Memorial Events
for James Goebbert
Jun
23
Funeral services provided by:
DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service10763 Dundee Road, Huntley, IL 60142
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