Bill Kobel's Obituary
Bill D. Kobel, 84, passed away at his home in North Ridgeville on Friday, April 15, 2011 after a long illness.
Bill was born in Tulsa, OK on December 1, 1926 and has been a resident of many communities since including Blasdell, NY, Parsons, KS, Berea and North Ridgeville, OH. He was very proud of his service in the Army Air Force and the USAF Reserve, achieving the rank of Airman Second Class, and his career as a science teacher, holding the position of Science Department Chair at Fairview High School (1967 -1985). In retirement, he served as the Planetarium Director at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, enjoyed gardening and was active in the American Legion Post 91 in Berea. He was also a long-time member of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association and the Cleveland Regional Association of Planetariums. Besides serving his country, community and being a loving husband and father, over the years he welcomed six children and young adults who needed help into his home and family.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor (nee Gruber); sons, Richard of North Ridgeville and Robert (Karen) of Livonia, MI; daughters, Brenda (Ben) Norton of Avon and Kathryn of Venice, FL; grandchildren, Erik, Ryan, William and Laura Kobel; Gretchen, Katie and Benjy Norton. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilson Clyde and Delda Maud Kobel (nee Smith); sisters, Muriel Lutz and Dorothy Walker; brothers, Joseph and Robert.
Friends will be received at the David Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville on Tuesday April 19, 2011 at 1 PM until the time of service in the funeral home at 2 PM. Reverend Dr. Tom Joyce, Pastor of Fields United Methodist Church will officiate. Private family interment at Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery to follow at a later date. Memorial donations to the Kobel Family Automotive Technology Scholarship, Dept. of Automotive Technology, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS, 66762.
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