Phyllis M. Goble-Kruger
At 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, 1936, Phyllis M. Wigner was born and at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2023, Phyllis went home to be with Jesus. Born in Yeoman, her childhood was filled with memories of feeling safe and loved. She passed on that love and security to her family and many close to her who adopted her as their mom or grandma.
She met the first love of her life, Bob Goble, on a blind date to Indiana Beach and they were married Sept. 12, 1954. The two were active community members, Phyllis in Iris Elm Garden Club, Happy Homemakers Home-Ec Club and the First Christian Church while supporting Bob’s political and community efforts as well. She also worked outside the home at the Controls factory in Winamac, Miller’s Department Store and as a Driver Examiner and License Branch Manager. Phyllis continued to take writing workshops later in life up to a week before she passed and enjoyed documenting her life story.
In her memoir, she wrote about some of her identities as Carl Metz’s granddaughter, Bob’s wife, her daughter, Dr. Cherie’s mom, and how she learned that her real identity was truly in Jesus Christ. You saw her faith in her courage, especially after Bob died in 1998, when she traveled solo to Italy where she made lifelong friends. A few years ago, Phyllis authored and published a children’s book titled, “A Lizard Named Lovely.”
Phyllis was curious, adventuresome and carefree as a child, traits that those who love her saw throughout her life; especially Devon Kruger, the second love of her life, who she married in 2005. She and Devon enjoyed many trips including seeing the ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy, visiting Tulln Air Base in Austria where Devon was stationed during World War II and wintering in Bradenton, Florida.
Her first memory of gardening was in her grandmother’s garden, planting peas with the tedious task of dropping the pea seeds into the row at exactly the same distance from each other as possible. She carried this love of gardening and nature throughout her life. Phyllis served in various leadership positions of the local Iris Elm Garden Club as well as at the district and state level of Garden Club. She learned, made friends and taught others through gardening, flower arranging and loving God’s beautiful creation.
Many remember her spunky and independent spirit, her sweet as a peach personality and her willingness to offer wisdom and advice when people were lost, confused or simply needing a kind ear and perspective; which she lived by in her personal philosophy: “Wherever you are, be there.”
She was preceded in death by Bob Goble, husband and Devon Kruger, husband; Steven Goble, son; Frank Wigner, father; Mary Kilmer, mother; Wilber Kilmer, step-father; and Dwain Wigner, brother.
Survivors include daughter Dr. Cherie Goble; son Mike Goble; daughter Mary Heal; four grandchildren and their children: Stephanie Brennan [Zach] – Nathan, Cameron, Allison, Scott Goble – Channing, Maddox, Zoe, Brielle, Nicole Cowley [Austin] - Shaun, Bobby, Nathan Goble [Faith] – Dominic; sister-in-law Becky Tiede; brother-in-law Bob Schultz; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, with Pastor Jim Ketchen officiating.
Burial took place at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.
Visitation was from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Iris Elm Garden Club or Bob Goble Scholarship through the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (cfopc.org). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
(Pulaski County Journal — Nov. 1, 2023)