Paul J Goble
July 20, 1924 ~ December 27, 2017
Paul JohnsonGoble, 93, of Princeton passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at Aperian Care (formerly Colonial) o fPrinceton. Born July 20, 1924, in Shelburn, Indiana, to Charles and Ressa (Johnson) Goble, he learned to farm, to build, to quilt, and to play fiddle at an early age. He did his fair share of life on and around a farm during the Great Depression, skills which he never forgot. In 1942, he volunteered to serve in the Army in WW2 at age 18. He was sent to Europe as a part of the 75th Division Engineers, and served for four years including the Battle of the Bulge. Upon returning home in 1946 he volunteered to stay in the Army Reserves, and was called up at the outset of the Korean War in 1949 as a Construction Foreman. He was discharged honorably from both wars, once and for all in 1952. He went to Indiana State University on the G.I. bill following his return from Europe, receiving his Bachelor''s Degree in Industrial Arts Education. During his time there he met Mary Jane Esche through his cousin, Bill, and they were married August 21, 1948. They accepted their first high school teaching jobs in Marshall, IL, where their first two daughters were born, and in 1953,the family moved to Princeton, where their third daughter was born. Paul taught at the Princeton High School while completing his Master''s Degree at Bradley University in Peoria, simultaneously driving school buses and coaching, flying planes at Piper Airport, and working on a road construction crew in the summer times. He retired from PHS at age 55, and pursued interests in restoring antique vehicles, playing golf, flying model airplanes, and except for post-retirement winters in Harlingen,Texas, called Princeton home for the remainder of his life. He was an active member of Hampshire Colony United Church of Christ, and later, Open Prairie United Church of Christ. His many friends knew he loved a good joke,and a competitive game of cards and golf, and his former students revered him for the influence that he had on their future lives, espousing good work ethic, honesty and best effort at all times. Paul is survived by daughters, Bonnie (David) Carlson of Adel, Iowa, Rita (Jeff) Calvert of Princeton; six grandchildren, Eric (Sarah) Carlson of Elgin, IL,Mark (Anita) Carlson of Brussels, Belgium, Philip (Allison) Calvert of Seattle,WA, Tim (Marci) Swanger of Alexandria, VA, Elizabeth Swanger of St. Louis, MO, and Hannah Calvert of Boise, ID; his sister Bonnie Huff, and five great-grandchildren, Owen, Elsa, Ari, Emma and Bjorn. He waspreceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane, his parents, his daughter, Elaine, his brother George, and his sisters Norma and Annalee. Pastor Adam Webber will preside over a memorial service at Open Prairie United Church of Christ at a date later in the spring. An announcement of date will be published in advance. Memorialsmay be directed to Open Prairie UCC or to the American Cancer Society.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Bonnie, Rita and families.
It was a sad day for us when we heard of the passing of Paul. We have known, worked with, and enjoyed Paul for many years. He was an inspirational, no holds barred, individual. We loved his candor and his insight. I can offer up many stories, but will only commit them to memory. And pleasant memories at that. May God Bless Paul and Mary Jane. And may the dear Lord also lift up you folks during this time. May God Bless.