Marvin Goebel

Marvin E. Goebel, 88, of Waco, passed away peacefully Monday, April 20, surrounded by his family.Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kay Hawkins officiating. There will be a visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive. Mr. Goebel was born Oct. 27, 1920, in Waco, to Moritz Roland Goebel and Hester Dietz Goebel.He was a 1939 graduate of Waco High School.He served as a radio mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Italy during World War II.After returning from the war, he completed his studies at Baylor University and graduated in 1946.He married Ann Elizabeth Field June 5, 1949, in Belcher, La. For several years after his graduation he was a flight instructor in Killeen and Waco.In 1950, he began his career at Baylor Press, where he worked for 36 years, the last 24 as its director. After his retirement as director of the Press in 1986, he worked for the Texas Collection at Baylor University as a researcher and editor.He loved Baylor and remained an active member of Baylor's retiree community.Baylor honored the Goebel family in 1989 by naming the Press building "The Goebel Building" in honor of the family's combined 160 years of service at Baylor Press. In retirement, he renewed his interest in flying, once again becoming a pilot, flying his own 1946 Cessna 140.He and Elizabeth often enjoyed fly-ins and other events with members of the Experimental Aircraft Association.In 1992, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of building a log cabin in the Texas Hill Country at Cypress Mill on part of his German ancestors' original homestead from 1856. Marvin and Elizabeth were charter members of Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church.Marvin was an active member of the church from its founding until the present.A former scout himself, he was also active with his son Marvin, Jr. in Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts.He was an active member of the Hermann's Sons fraternal organization.He was an avid deer hunter and outdoorsman, and loved spending time in the hill country with his family.He was a loving father and grandfather and will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers Harrington and Morris. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Field Goebel; his sister Lucile Ebeling; daughter Melinda Coats and husband, Jim of Waco; son Marvin Goebel, Jr. and wife, Nancy of Woodway; daughters Melanie Gee of Mesquite, Melissa Bivona and husband, Brian of Woodway; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his cats George and Gray Boy. Pallbearers will be Don Goebel, John Goebel, Don Casey, Bill Casey, Billy Don Shirley, Steve Damon, Herb Houston and Dr. David Hardt. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sanctuary Fund at Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church, or to Baylor University. If you are unable to attend the memorial service, you may log onto www.gracegardensfh.com and click on video services to view the web camera during the service.
&nbsp Born: October 20, 1920&nbsp Place of Birth: Waco, TX&nbsp Death: April 20, 2009&nbsp Place of Death: Waco&nbspElizabeth Field Goebel, Spouse&nbspMarvin Goebel Jr., Son&nbspMelinda Coats, Daughter&nbspMelissa Bivona, Daughter&nbspMelanie Gee, Daughter

Visitation

Thursday April 23, 2009 , 5pm - 7pm at Grace Gardens Funeral Home

Funeral Service

Friday April 24, 2009 , 3pm at Cogdell Memorial United Methidist Church
Burial To Follow At Oakwood Cemetery Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.