John Thobe

John "Dale" Thobe, age 76, of Fort Recovery, Ohio, died July 8, 2018, at his residence.

He was born Jan. 22, 1942, in Celina, Ohio, to the late Ivo and Helen (Oberlander) Thobe. His step-mother Alwilda Thobe is also deceased. On April 6, 1963, he married Kathleen (Shepard) Thobe, who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Christine (Ron) Thompson of Losantville, Indiana, Lisa (Roger) Roessner of Fort Recovery and Scott (Lizzie Urmy) Thobe of Ypsilanti, Michigan; grandchildren JD, Stephanie, Katie, Zachary, Christopher, Rose, Grace, George, Madelyn, Joe, Solomon and Penny; great-grandchildren Leo, Abe, Gabe, Vivian, Blaine, Hank, Thobe and Adele; siblings Rod (Linda) Thobe of Fort Recovery, Terry Thobe of Fort Recovery, Mike (Cindy) Thobe of Fort Recovery and Missy (Kevin) Romer of Greenville, Ohio; and in-laws Eileen Keen of Union City, Ohio, Ed (Laura) Snyder of Sidney, Ohio, Bill (Cindy) Snyder of Celina, Ohio, and Virginia (Karen Wayda) Snyder of Madison, Wisconsin. 

He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Sam Keen. 

He was a 1960 graduate of Fort Recovery High School and a 1982 graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Dale was the owner/operator of Thobe's Sinclair, Thobe's Gulf and Thobe's Shell for 20 years. He also retired from Fort Recovery High School after teaching industrial arts and driver’s ed for 17 years. His service continued in the community by serving and retiring from the Southwest Mercer Fire Department after 20-plus years. 

Dale enjoyed teaching and interacting with his students. He loved his family, grandkids and great-grandkids. He didn't know a stranger and was always eager to build close relationships in all areas of his life. His kind soul was deeply valued by so many and will be greatly missed. In keeping with his giving nature, Dale decided to donate his body to Wright State University for scientific research. 

A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018, at Brockman – Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery, Ohio. 

Receiving of friends will be from 2 p.m. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home.   

Contributions can be made to Southwest Mercer Fire Department

Condolences may be expressed at brockmanboeckmanfh.com.