Thomas Goebel

THOMAS FREDERICK GOEBEL, died on February 20, 2021. Tom was born on October 20, 1925 in Berea, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy V. Goebel and four children: Cheryl A. Boord (Kelly), Richard T. Goebel (Margaret), Robert M. Goebel (Matthew), and Patricia A. Hritz (Timothy). He leaves behind five grandchildren: Eric Boord, Michael Boord (Jeannie), Jon Goebel (Lindsey), Emily Crowder (David), and Dane Hritz. He is remembered by his great grandchildren: Olivia Boord, Meyer, and James Goebel, and Gwyneth, Polly, and Marlow Crowder. Tom’s parents were Margarete and Frederick Goebel (deceased), as well as his brothers Jack, Jim, Ray (all deceased) and a surviving brother, Donald (Luci). Tom was a friend to many Bereans throughout his lifetime. He was the voice of the city’s Memorial Day ceremony annually in which he renewed the tradition of reading the names of those who died in war. Tom is also credited with imagining and creating the “Bridge of Heroes” where the city commemorates its fallen soldiers with flags along Front St.  Tom graduated from Berea High School in 1943 and worked as a postal carrier in Berea with his father before entering World War II in the U.S. Naval forces stationed aboard the USS Ashland in the Pacific Theater. He returned to Berea in 1946 and married Dorothy in 1947. Tom continued to carry mail until he went to work at Ford Motor Company in 1950. Tom was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the first CYO football coach for the parish as well as an enthusiastic member of the Athletic Committee. Tom and Dorothy also enjoyed a lake home at Apple Valley in Howard, Ohio from 1978 to 1998. After a 38-year career with Ford, Tom retired and became extremely active in the Berea Historical Society, Berea Heritage Architectural Board, and the Berea Active Senior Network. Tom was an active and life-long learner as a member of the Learning in Retirement program. He and Dorothy made many friends at the Berea Rec Center. Funeral Mass, Saturday, February 27 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Church, 250 Kraft Street, Berea, Ohio, 44017. Friends may call at BAKER-OSINSKI-KENSINGER FUNERAL HOME, 206 FRONT STREET, BEREA, OHIO, 44017, FRIDAY FROM 5-7 PM (wear your mask and keep social distance).  IN LIEU OF FLOWERS donations may be made to St. Mary Church, or Berea Historical Society, PO Box 173, Berea, Ohio, 44017.

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