Jean M. Kober, 95, of Liberty Center, passed away on Saturday afternoon, April 23, 2022, at River Terrace in Bluffton.
She was born on Aug. 29, 1926, in Bluffton to Alfred and Marie (Brickley) Girod.
A 1944 graduate of Rockcreek High School, Jean graduated from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing where she was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps. Upon receiving her RN degree, she worked as a nurse at Wells County Hospital and was the first school nurse at Southern Wells Community Schools, retiring in 1988 after 20 years of service.
Jean was a member of the Boehmer United Methodist Church for more than 65 years where she served as pianist, organist, Sunday School teacher, and an active member of the United Methodist Women. Jean faithfully volunteered at Bluffton Regional Medical Center for more than 25 years and was a member of the Wells County Homemakers’ Club and P.B.S. (Papa Babysits) Club. Jean was also a talented quilter.
Jean and Jack thoroughly enjoyed family vacations in Minnesota for 30 years. Celebrating their 80th birthdays at Crow Crest Lodge in Nevis, Minn., was a highlight for the extended Kober family.
On Oct. 20, 1948, in Rock Creek Township, Jean and Jack E. Kober were married. They were longtime residents of Liberty Township until moving to River Terrace Retirement Community in 2014.
Survivors include her husband of 73 years, Jack Kober of Bluffton, and children: Jill (Jerome) Markley of Bluffton, Joe (Kelly) Kober of Liberty Center, and Judy (Bill) Hogg of Bluffton. She was a loving grandmother to eight grandchildren: Ben (Lesley) Markley of Indianapolis; Paul (Shea) Markley of Omaha, Neb.; Drew Markley of Fort Wayne; Adam Kober (Jonathan Shinn) of Newport Beach, Calif.; Krista (Ian) Moore of Houston, Texas; Patrick (Sara) Kober of Liberty Center; John (Christin) Hogg of Boise, Idaho; and Peter (Laura) Hogg of Indianapolis; along with 14 great-grandchildren.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings, Hallie Pace, Ina May Dormire, Don Girod, and her twin sister, Joyce Grandlienard.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton with pastors Barry Humble and Steve Nevius officiating. Burial will follow at Mossburg Cemetery near Liberty Center.
Visitation hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and for one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made in Jean’s memory to the Boehmer United Methodist Church or to Mossburg Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the Kober family at www.thomarich.com.