Ronald Koebler

Ronald Koebler VIRGINIA BEACH - Ronald "Pap" Koebler, born in Manor, Pa., on June 8, 1932, died peacefully in his sleep June 18, 2010 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Debra Lynn and Daniel Roberts in Virginia Beach. He was the son of John E. and Hazel DePriest Koebler. His loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth A. "Betty" Koebler, as well as members of his immediate family were by his side. He served as a member of the Navy during the Korean conflict, having crossed both the Equator and the Artic Circle. Upon entrance into the civilian workforce, he began a family-owned business with his brothers as Koebler Sheet Metal Fabricators in Jeannette, Pa., then with Air-A-Plane Corp. and NARF in Norfolk and finally as the A/C and heating supervisor at both Dam Neck and NAS Oceana until his retirement in 1997. He was preceded in death by both his parents; his four brothers and their wives, John Robert and Emma Cecchetti Koebler, Thomas Koebler, William Joseph and Dawn Errett Koebler, Gerald Franklin and Alice C. Hohman Koebler; his two sisters, Bettie Jean and Thomas G. Rice and Hazel and Alexander Lee Kraucz, all originally of Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his son and wife, John William and Sandrea Mae Wright Koebler of Leesbug, Texas; grandson John David Koebler of Dallas, Texas; his daughter, Melissa A. Koebler and her companion Ricardo McDonald; great- grandchildren, Aleia Korine and Jason Callahan and Corey McDonald of Virginia Beach; grandson, Kenneth and Jean Davis; great-grandchildren, Jeanneth, Sandrea and Ashley of Fort Worth, Texas, Tim and Pam Davis; great-grandchild Adam of Arizona and Jerry Little of Virginia Beach; daughter, Debra Lynn and son-in law Daniel Roberts, Virginia Beach and their six children, Bruce E. (Jr.) and Erinn Fentress-Henning of Norfolk, Jason D. and Julie Roberts and their two children, Breanna and Aiden of Virginia Beach, Daniel J. and Jessicia Roberts and daughter, Lily of Wilmington, Del., Kevin M. Roberts, Wilmington, Del., Ashley Elise Roberts, currently in graduate school in Knoxville, Tenn., and Kathleen E. and Mackensie Roberts of Virginia Beach. Ron had many loving nieces and nephews which he loved in return. As a husband, he made our 56 years truly special. He loved all the children with a passion and loved to play tricks on everyone including those he worked with. He was an awesome, supporting and fun-loving dad. He was a comical character, stubborn and a "pistol" and through it all - the best dad a son and daughter could ever have. He was Pap to every kid in the neighborhood and Pops to everyone he worked with. Ron was a past active member of the L.O.O.M., Aragona Lodge. Upon retirement, Ron organized a monthly meeting for those retiring from the bases which is still active today. The family may visit with Ron for the first time, Monday, June 21, after 2 p.m. with the first open visitation to be held Monday, June 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. Visitation services will be held at the Oak Grove Baptist Church at the corner of Pungo Ferry and Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 22. Following immediately at 3 p.m., a funeral will be held with Pastor Chuck Moseley officiating. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.altmeyer.com.