Kobler Reunion – Memorial Day Weekend
We will be holding a Kobler reunion on Memorial Day weekend 2013 in the Hill City/Hays, Kansas area. Many Kobler relatives will be coming, literally from coast to coast. We would love to see as many attendees as possible. If interested in attending, please contact us for more information.
Otto and Helen Kobler
Photos
Otto Kobler about 1909
Otto & Helen – Honeymoon Feb. 1941
Otto Kobler 1930s?
Helen Kobler 1930s?
Otto F. Kobler Obituary
HILL CITY — Otto F. Kobler, 92, Hill City, died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at Dawson Place Nursing Home, Hill City.
Mr. Kobler was born Aug. 30, 1908, at rural Penokee. He was a farmer-stockman and a member of Hill City United Methodist Church, Penokee School Board, Graham County Hospital Board, Graham County ASCS Committee and Consolidated State Bank Board of Directors. He also was a member of Masonic Lodge for more than 65 years and was a charter member of BPOE Lodge 1995.
Survivors include his wife, Helen of Hill City; a son, Jerry of Hill City; a daughter, Ann Solomon of Livermore, Calif.; a brother, Raymond of Hays; a sister, Marie Steeples of Hays; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hill City United Methodist Church, the Rev. Mehl Cruit officiating. Private family burial will be in Penokee Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hill City United Methodist Church, Graham County Hospital or the donor’s choice.
There will be no visitation.
Spencer-Stinemetz Chapel of Hill City, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City 67642, is handling arrangements.
Raymond and Charlotte Kobler
Raymond L. Kobler, son of Carl and Elma Kobler, was born on April 23, 1913, in Penokee, KS. He died on March 3, 2006, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis, Wichita. He married Charlotte Harris-Cutting June 4, 1933. She was born on May 11, 1912 and died on April 18, 2001 in ???, KS. Raymond and Charlotte are both buried in Lenora South Cemetery, Lenora, KS.
Additional information about Raymond and Charlotte Kobler would be very much appreciated. Please send life history, stories and photos using the Contact page or you can Register and post information yourself.
Raymond L. Kobler Obituary
Raymond L. Kobler, 92, Hays, died Friday, March 3, 2006, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis, Wichita.
He was born April 23, 1913, in Penokee to Carl L. and Elma (Paxson) Kobler. He was a 1931 graduate of Hill City High school.
He married Charlotte Harris-Cutting June 4, 1933. She preceded him in death April 18, 2001.
He moved to Omaha, Neb., and then to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1935. He was a member of Texas Voluntary Air Guard from 1935 to 1945. He moved to Hays in 1945 and was co-owner of Nash-Rambler-Jeep-Eagle Dealership until his retirement.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post, member and past president of Rotary Club and Masonic Lodge, all of Hays; charter member of No. 1286 of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association, since 1934; a life member of Ellis County Historical Society; and was the oldest Kansas member of the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include three sons, Dean Kobler; Newton, Gilbert Kobler; Duncanville, Texas, and Arden Kobler, Hays; eight grandchildren, Deanne White, Ronald Kobler, Randal Kobler, Travis Kobler, Andrew Makua, Anthony Kobler, Christopher Kobler and Matthew Kobler; and seven great-grandchildren, Deidre Kobler; Ian Kobler, Evan Kobler, Kelly White, Mattlock White, Kaycee White and Darius Makua.
He was preceded in death by a son, Lt. j.g. Darryl Kobler; two brothers, Leo Kobler and Otto Kobler; and two sistesr, Olive Steeples and Marie Steeples.
Services at 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, Hays; graveside services at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Lenora South Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Hays, or Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis, 7th floor Oncology Unit, S.W., Wichita.
Funeral Information:
First United Methodist Church
Hays, Kansas
15 March 2006
Interment: Lenora South Cemetery, Lenora, Kansas
[Source: The Hill City Times (Hill City, Kansas), 8 March 2006.]
Raymond and Charlotte Kobler Headstone
Irv and LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman
Albertine LaVergne Kobler, daughter of Albert and Anna Kobler, was born on March 19, 1917, in Morland, KS. She died on 10 Feb 2013 in Lawrence, KS. She married Irv Hardman on July 23, 1938, in Morland, KS. He was born on July 23, 1916. He died on Feb. 4, 1995 in Hill City, KS. Irv and LaVergne are both buried in Hill City Cemetery, Hill City, KS.
Photos
A photo slide show was created by Stewart Harley here in memory of LaVergne Kobler Hardman.
Need some more photos here …
Also stories of their lives …
LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman Obituary
Albertine LaVergne (Kobler) Hardman, 95, Lawrence, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
She was born March 19, 1917, in Morland to Albert James and Anna Jane (Davis) Kobler.
She married Irv Hardman on July 23, 1938, in Morland. He preceded her in death Feb. 4, 1995. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include two sons, Blaine Hardman, Westmoreland, and Doug Hardman, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; three daughters, Debbie Harley, Ashville, N.C., Nancy Hardman, Lawrence, and Mindy Loveless, Lyndon; a sister, Phyllis Madden, Rose Hill; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two infant children, Rebecca and Gregory.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church, Hill City; burial in Hill City Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to Hill City United Methodist Church or Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment for Palliative Care in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City.
Ruben and Lorrayne (Kobler) Deines
Lorrayne Kobler, daughter of Albert and Anna Kobler, was born on 1 Nov 1919 in Logan, KS. She died on 8 Feb 2013 in WaKeeney, KS. She married Ruben Deines on 23 Jan 1938 in WaKeeney, KS. He was born on Feb. 21, 1914. He died on 11 Jan 2001 in WaKeeney, KS. Ruben and Lorrayne are both buried in WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Photos
Need some photos here …
And some stories about their lives too …
Lorrayne (Kobler) Deines Obituary
(November 1, 1919 – February 8, 2013)
Lorrayne K. (Kobler) Deines, age 93 of WaKeeney, passed away Friday, February 8, 2013 at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. She was born November 1, 1919 in Logan, Kansas, the daughter of Albert James and Anna Jane (Davis) Kobler. 
Lorrayne graduated with the class of 1937, from Morland High School, then went on to attend Fort Hays State University. Lorrayne Kobler married Ruben Deines on January 23, 1938 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of WaKeeney. He preceded her in death on January 11, 2001. They enjoyed nearly 63 years of marriage together. If anyone knew anything about Lorrayne, they knew she was a wonderfully talented cook, who was famous for “Maca’s Sheet Cake”. She loved to make blankets for family and friends. Lorrayne enjoyed gardening, and canning what she grew. She was an avid Royals baseball fan. She was very generous with her time in giving to her community. To mention a few things, she was a Grand 4th Messenger for Job’s Daughters, a 4-H Leader for many years, and was a District Aide for the Eastern Star. Lorrayne cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would try her hardest to be found in the crowd supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.
She will be missed by many friends and family, including: one son Tom (Susie) Deines of Hutchinson; two daughters Karla (Leary) Johnson of WaKeeney and Leslie (Kevin) Owen of Laurie, Missouri; two sisters LaVergne Hardman (who just passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013) of Lawrence, and Phyllis Madden of Rose Hill; a sister-in-law Ruth Scott of WaKeeney; eleven grandchildren Bradley Johnson, Brent Johnson, Blair Johnson, Tammy Deines – Clouston, Troy Gaston, Stacy Gaston Cahoon, Derek Deines, Melanie Deines Bugner, C.J. Deines, Amanda Owen, and Allison Owen; and fifteen great-grandchildren Ryan Johnson, Katie Johnson Bunker, Cole Johnson, Emily Johnson, Ian Johnson, Luke Johnson, Rane Deines, Roslynne Deines, Teagan Kohles, Kenzie Gaston, Dak Deines, Tyler Bugner, Hayden Bugner, Bailey Bugner and Drew Bugner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Alan Deines, a grandson Tim Deines, and a great-grandson Connor Johnson.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of WaKeeney with Pastor Larry Danforth officiating. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of WaKeeney or the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Ruben Deines Obituary
WaKEENEY – Ruben Deines, 86, died Jan. 11, 2001, at his home.
He was born Feb. 21, 1914, at WaKeeney, the son of Solomon Sr. and Katharina Karst Deines. He was a 1932 graduate of Trego Community High School and a graduate of Hebron Junior College, Hebron, Neb. A lifetime WaKeeney-area resident, he was a farmer, stockman and a self-employed building contractor, retiring in 1991.
He belonged to First United Methodist Church, was a member of the Masonic Lodge AF & AM No. 148, Order of Eastern Star Margaret Chapter No. 249, Trego County Historical Society and the Big Creek Recreation, all at WaKeeney.
On Jan. 23, 1938, he married Lorrayne Kobler at WaKeeney. She survives.
Other survivors include: a son, Tom, Hutchinson; two daughters, Karla Johnson, WaKeeney, and Leslie Owen, Laurie, Mo.; two brothers, Solomon Jr., Liberal, and Raymond, WaKeeney; a sister, Ruth Scott, WaKeeney; 10 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Alan Deines; three brothers, Bernhardt, Sieghardt and Ernest Deines; and a sister, Martha Karst.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, WaKeeney, with the Rev. Tod Anthony presiding. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Burial will be in WaKeeney City Cemetery, with Masonic graveside rites by Masonic Lodge AF & AM No. 148, WaKeeney.
Memorials may be sent to the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Foundation or to First United Methodist Church, both at WaKeeney.
Cornelius Winfred (Winnie) and Buenola Kobler
An American hero, Cornelius Winfred (Winnie) Kobler was born 3/9/1917 on his parents farm about 2-3 miles Southwest of Penokee, Kansas.
B-29 Superfortress
On May 26, 1945, Captain Cornelius W. Kobler and the crew of his B-29 bomber, gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Just weeks prior, on May 14, 1945, he had survived a harrowing B-29 combat orientation flight that had to ditch in the Pacific.
“My first dad (Winnie) died on a B29 bomb run over Tokyo in May of 1945. He was the aircraft commander. His last words were, ‘bail out’, but the only crew member to do so was Harry Slater, then a wing burned off and they crashed with no other survivors. I referred to my ‘first’ dad because the man that raised me from 3 years old, Al, was my dad also.” – Kenneth (Kobler) Lummus
Additional details of the Kobler crew can be found on the 39th Bomb Group website.
Winnie married Buenola (Nola) Ruth Mahan in Wakeeney, Kansas on Aug 21, 1941 and had one child, Kenneth (Kobler) Lummus.
Photos
Winnie and Nola Kobler about 1940
Nola, Winnie & Kenneth about 1943
Capt C. W. Kolber w/ his son Kenneth just before shipping out to the Pacific in 1945
Cornelius Winfred Kobler WWII Enlistment Record
Additional information about Winnie and Nola Kobler would be very much appreciated. Please send life history, stories and photos using the Contact page or you can Register and post information yourself.
Wallace and Marie Kobler Steeples
Vera Marie Kobler, daughter of Carl and Elma Kobler, was born on 17 Aug 1906 in Penokee, Graham Co., KS. She died on 10 Jan 2002 in Hays, KS. She married William Wallace (Wally) Steeples, son of David James Steeples and Myrtle Eliza Fulcher on 24 Dec 1926 in Penokee, Graham Co., KS. He was born on 03 Feb 1904 in Zurich, Rooks Co., KS. He died on 29 Jul 1966 in Hays, KS. Wallace and Marie Steeples are both buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Palco, KS.
Wallace Steeples and Marie Kobler had the following children:
- Jean Marie Steeples
- Joanne (Jo) Evelyn Steeples
- Lois Ellen Steeples
- Don Wallace Steeples
- David James Steeples
Photos
Marie Kobler 1909
Marie Kobler Age 15
Marie Kobler Steeples Wedding 12-24-1926
Wallace Steeples Wedding 12-24-1926
Wallace & Marie Steeples Family - 1950s
Back Row: Boyd Webb, Jean Steeples Webb, Lois Steeples Settles, Robert Settles, Jo Steeples Haslett, Glenn Haslett
Front Row: Dave Steeples, Wallace Steeples, Marie Steeples, Don Steeples
Wallace & Marie Steeples
Additional photos of Wallace and Marie Steeples family are posted on Bob and Lois Settles website.
Obituary
Vera ‘Marie’ Steeples
Vera ”Marie” Kobler Steeples, 95, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002.
A native of Penokee, Kansas, Mrs. Steeples was a daughter of the late Carl and Elma Paxson Kobler and was the widow of W.W. ”Wally” Steeples. She graduated from Fort Hays State University and was a schoolteacher in Palco and Bogue, Kan., for 17 years. She was a member of Pleasant Hour Club, Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Sorority and Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Palco, Kan., and First United Methodist Church, Stockton, Kan., and attended First Presbyterian Church, Hays, Kan.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Smith-Moore-Overlease Funeral Home, Stockton, Kan., with the Rev. Tim Ault-Duell officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Palco, Kan.
Survivors include three daughters, Jean Webb, Tulsa, Okla., Joanne Haslett, Tucson, Ariz., and Lois Settles, Athens; two sons, Don Steeples, Lawrence, Kan., David Steeples, Stockton, Kan.; a brother, Raymond Kobler, Hays, Kan.; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wally and Marie Steeples Faculty Award Fund, Kansas University Endowment Association, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044 or the Methodist Church of Palco or Stockton, c/o the funeral home.
[Athens Banner-Herald, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002]
Wallace and Marie Steeples Headstone
Fred and Edna Kobler
Fred Kobler was born 8/30/1896 in Penokee, Kansas. Fred married Edna Pearl Hatcher on 12/30/1917 in Joplin, MO. He died 10/20/1918 in Lawrence, KS from the Flu during World War I military training. He is buried in Hill City Cemetery, Hill City, KS. Edna Hatcher was born April 1898 in Solomon Rapids Township, KS and died 27 Aug 1938 in Pueblo, Colorado.
Edna remarried Charles T. Mars after Fred’s death. Fred and Edna had one child, Paul Lee Kobler Mars, who took on the Mars name. Paul was born 30 Dec 1918 in Hill City, Kansas and died 19 Sept 1945 in Beaufort, South Carolina after having served in World War II.
Photos
Fred Kobler WWI Draft Registration
Fred Kobler Headstone – Hill City Cemetery, Hill City, KS
Edna Hatcher Kobler Mars Headstone – Orchard Mesa Cemetery, Grand Junction, CO
Paul Lee Kobler-Mars
Paul Kobler-Mars
Paul Kobler-Mars Headstone – Veterans Cemetery, Orchard Mesa, CO
Albert and Anna Kobler
Albert Kobler was born 3/21/1893 in Penokee, Kansas. Albert married Anna Jane Davis on 6/28/1916 in Phillipsburg, KS. He died 3/13/1977 at Hadley Regional Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Albert and Anna had five children:
- LaVergne Kobler
- Phyllis Kobler
- Lorrayne Kobler
- Margaret Kobler
- Carl D. Kobler
Photos
Thank you to Nancy Hardman for providing most of these photos.
Albert & Anna Kobler Marriage Certificate
Anna Davis Kobler & LaVergne. Photo from Donna Childs
Anna Kobler and child … LaVergne, Margaret, or Lorrayne
Albert and Anna Kobler
Albert and Anna Kobler with Children
Front Row: Phyllis, Albert, Anna, Lorrayne
Albert and Anna with Children and Spouses
Front Row: Ruben Deines, Bob Rath, Albert Kobler, Anna Kobler, Irv Hardman
Albert & Anna Kobler 50th Anniversary
Albert & Anna Kobler – possibly at the wedding of Alan and Susan Kirby Deines
Albert and children at Anna’s funeral
Anna Jane (Davis) Kobler Obituary
Anna Jane Kobler, 82, passed away Saturday, July 7, at the Graham County Hospital in Hill City. She was a pharmacist, and she and her husband operated a drug store in Morland for over 50 years.
She was a member of the Morland Methodist Church and the O.E.S. No. 400.
She is survived by her husband, Albert J., of the home; four daughters, Mrs. Irv (LaVergne) Hardman and Mrs. Gene (Phyllis) Madden, Hill City; Mrs. Ruben (Lorrayne) Deines, WaKeeney; Mrs. Robert (Margaret) Rath, Morland; one son, Dr. Carl D. Kobler, Hill City; two sisters, Mrs. O. J. Rohner, Albany, Oregon; Mrs. Wilbur Arasmith, Densmore; two brothers, George T. Davis, Richland, Washington; Leslie Davis, Riverside, California; 21 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Morland at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, with the Reverend Delbert L. Honn officiating. Music was furnished by Rev. Darrell Hendrickson with Mrs. James Taber at the organ.
Casket bearers were: Blaine Hardman, Kevin Kobler, Tim Rath, Mark Madden, Tom Deines, and Bob Super.
Honorary bearers were: Doug Hardman, Philip Rath, Alan Deines, Carl Davis Kobler Jr., John F. Kobler and Kelly Madden.
Interment was in the Hill City Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Morland United Methodist Church or the Kansas Heart Fund.
Mae Kobler and Bert Troutman
Elizabeth Mae Kobler was born 5/16/1888 in Penokee, Kansas. Mae married William Herbert (Bert) Troutman on 11/14/1917. She died 12/30/1976 in Beloit, KS.
“Great Aunt Mae Kobler Troutman- married twice, widowed and then divorced, reverted to first husband’s name — no children.” – Ray L. Pruiett
Additional information about Mae and Bert Troutman would be very much appreciated. Please send life history, stories and photos using the Contact page or you can Register and post information yourself.