John Dobler  --  1981

        Funeral services were held for John Frederick Dobler Friday, Oct. 30, at 1:30 p.m., at the First Christian Church in Burlington.  Officiating were Rev. Ruben Isaak and Rev. Walter Dobler. 
        Dorothey Isaak and Beuelah Lambert were organists who accompanied the First Christian Church quartet and the Hope men's chorus. 
        Casket bearers were Fred Witzel, Roland Schlichenmayer, Tom Dobler, Ralph Stahlecker, Arnold Strobel and Kenneth Dobler.  Honorary bearers were Emil Knodel, A.D. Jewell, William Fisher, Merle Worden, John Bryner, Emil Strobel,  Bill Knodel, Jerome Stegman and Cliff Hawthorne.  Interment was at Hope Cemetery, Bethune. 
Following is the obituary read by Rev. Dobler: 
        We are met to give thanks to God for the life of John Frederick Dobler, born Sept. 10, 1904, in Kit Carson County, the third child of John and Magdealena Dobler.  He was part of the first American-born generation in this new frontier community not yet 15 years old at the time of his birth.  But his lifetime would span the massive changes from the "Model T" to the space shuttle. 
        During his early years he took as his own the industrious and venturesome spirit of the pioneer community.  Prairie View School in District No. 22 provided the open door to a share of the American dream.  While holding on to the firm principles of the immigrant generation, he was ready to grasp new opportunities as they developed. 
        In the depth of the Depression, on May 3, 1931, John married Edna Konrad from a family of like background from North Dakota.  Together they ventured out on a newly built farmstead and pursued innovative farming methods, including a certified seed program and establishing a herd of registered cattle.  A son, Allan, joined the family on July 12, 1945, and the farm operation expanded over the next 20 years.  John's activity in the livestock area never dulled, and he was a familiar figure and employee at the local livestock market. 
        But our Creator has fashioned us to have wider interests than business, and John was no exception.  Music came to be a life-long interest.  When I was born, John was already a teenager, and I recall how fascinated I was to watch him play his trombone, first in a small family group and later in the Burlington Municipal Band.  He was a member of singing groups as long as I can remember...first with the choir of Hope Church, then with the choir and other choral groups of First Christian Church, and non-denominational groups like the Christian Business Men's Chorus. 
        During the years he served on community agencies, such as the old Emerson school board and the Farmers and Ranchers Mutual Telephone Co.  He was a lifelong church member, first of Hope United Church of Christ, and later of First Christian Church, where he served as elder for a time. 
        John was an avid sportsman all of his life.  he was a member of all manner of softball leagues over the years and in more recent times took up bowling.  Hunting and fishing were regular pursuits, especially in later years of retirement. 
        In 1968 he moved to Burlington...into semi-retirement.  His active spirit found many things to do, including work for the Colorado Crop and Livestock Reporting Service.  These years also gave him time to enjoy his grandchildren and to play a more leisurely role of grandfather.  Failing eyesight became a concern, but he was able to live at home until a month before his death  on Oct. 26, 1981. 
        He is survived by his wife Edna; his son's family, Allan and Virginia and five grandchildren, Reanee, Darla, Dianne, Karleen and Lance; three brother, Elmer Dobler and Art Dobler of Burlington and Rev. Walter Dobler of Independence, Mo.; and a large number of relatives and friends. 
        We give thanks for the life of John Dobler, and pause to honor his memory.