Donald Francis Goebel

Donald Francis Goebel October 14, 1931-February 5, 2026

Donald (Don) Francis Goebel was a faithful husband, father, grandfather and community servant who lived his whole life in Berea. He grew up in a house at 210 Mulberry Street where he was the fourth of five Goebel brothers. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, which was practically in his backyard, and would often speak laughingly of getting in trouble with the nuns and getting his knuckles smacked with a ruler. He later attended Berea High School, graduating in 1949. There he was in a number of clubs in addition to playing football, running track and being a member of their first golf team.

As a young man he worked for the local ice house helping to deliver blocks of ice for ice boxes. After high school, he joined the Navy and served aboard the admiral’s ship, the USS Mount Olympus, during the Korean War. He enjoyed his time sailing around the globe, which was the source of endless stories to share with family and friends. Upon his return, he took classes at Baldwin Wallace College and worked for A&P Grocery Stores, quickly becoming a manager. He spent the majority of his career working as a computer programmer/systems analyst for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at the Federal Building downtown for over 30 years. He enjoyed watching the Cleveland Air Show from his office on the 22nd floor.

He met his wife, Lucille (Luci) Frances Kochems through the Marian Club at St. Mary’s Church, where many of their contemporaries also found love. They were wed there on May 5, 1962, and were married for over 63 years and had four children, all given the middle name that Don and Luci shared.

Aside from family, Don loved his community. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Berea for over 50 years and served as president for a stint. Through Kiwanis, he also served as an advisor for Circle K of Baldwin Wallace and Key Club at Berea High. In addition, he built and flew radio controlled (RC) airplanes and was involved in several airplane clubs. He was an avid golfer and played in multiple golf leagues through St. Mary’s, St. Thomas Moore, and the Navy Federal Finance Center. He particularly enjoyed playing at Riverside Golf Club where he was a founding member. With Luci, he volunteered for the WVIZ auction and at the Berea Historical Society, where he was happy to share his firsthand knowledge of Berea history. He and Luci were lifelong members of St. Mary’s Church, serving in various volunteer capacities.

He is survived by his wife Luci, and four children: Susan Goebel, Mary Wuest (Paul), Jennifer Garner VanderVat (Mike) and Joseph Goebel (Krystal Criss) as well as his five granddaughters, Oliva Farnham (Brian), Rebecca Clark (John), Kathryn Garner, Grace Garner and Hope Goebel.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Baker Kensinger Funeral Home, 206 Front Street, Berea, OH 44017. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 17 at St. Mary’s Berea, 250 Kraft St., Berea, OH 44017. Internment will follow at St. Mary’s of the Falls Cemetery, 1260 West Bagley Road, Berea, OH 44017. The family invites friends and family to gather at Tony K’s (841 W. Bagley Road, Berea) after the burial to celebrate Don’s life.

Donations in Don’s Memory can be made to LIFE, a Dementia Friendly Foundation, where Don and Luci would attend weekly memory care cafes.  LIFE: A Dementia Friendly Foundation, P.O. Box 117, Oberlin, OH 44074 Email: info@dflife.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Francis Goebel, please visit our floral store.