Rhema Gobert

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Bertha Rhema Gobert, 87, of Greencastle, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2016 in Greencastle due to complications from Alzheimer's Disease.

Rhema was born Nov. 12, 1928, in Ashland Township, Morgan County, Ind. She was the younger of two children of Vance and Dea (Carter) Colwell and grew up on her parents' farm in Ashland Township.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Gobert, and their beloved granddaughter Sarah Gobert of Jasper.

Rhema graduated from Eminence High School in 1945. She graduated from Indiana University in 1949 with a degree in Business and Music Education, and later earned her Master's Degree in education from IU as well.

She taught at Paragon, Stilesville and Reelsville Elementary before teaching at South Putnam High School in the 1970s and '80s. While a business teacher at South Putnam, Rhema was the sponsor of a very active and successful Office Education Association that competed at the national level.

She married the love of her life, Don Gobert, on July 2, 1950, in Martinsville. Their love story of nearly 65 years of marriage continues to warm the hearts of family, friends and care givers who knew them.

Rhema was a member of Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star of Cartersburg and Putnam County Retired Teachers Association. She held leadership roles in local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts groups and served as a volunteer at the Putnam County Hospital Guild.

Rhema served as choir director at Sherwood Christian Church in the 1960s and early '70s. She was also a member of First Christian Church, where she served as an elder and was active in other leadership roles in the church.

Rhema enjoyed playing cards, supporting IU basketball and Jasper baseball, and attending local sporting events. Music was a big part of her life, as she enjoyed singing and playing the piano -- especially playing "the Fishy Song" for her children and grandchildren, which brought tears of laughter and joy for many decades. Rhema enjoyed sharing laughs and traveling with Don, as well as simply spending time with her family every chance she had.

Rhema is survived by her sister, Kathleen Richard, of Ashland Township, as well as her five children, Michael Gobert and wife Kathleen Bredemeyer (Ft. Wayne); Linda Gobert Dean (Bloomington); Cindy Jones and husband Kim (North Ridgeville, Ohio); Terry and wife Caroline (Jasper); and Shawn (Greencastle). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Dillon, Dayton, Nick, Maria, Laura, Julia, Ellen and Nathan Gobert; Casey, Courtney and Abby Dean; Vance and Carmen Cross; as well as six great-grandchildren, Liesl, Cooper, Connor, Colin and Killian Dean; and Kaiden Gobert. Rhema is also survived by two nieces, Cyrleen Myers (Ashland Township) and Ruthi Fouty (Plainfield), as well as many wonderful great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Visitation will take place Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2-5 p.m. at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home in Greencastle.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of two organizations, the Friends of Jasper Baseball. Donations will be used for enhancements at Sarah's Place. Please mail to: Sarah's Place 1011 W. 15th St., Jasper, IN 47546 or Putnam County Retired Teachers Association (scholarship fund in the memo line), 1298 N. CR 175 West, Greencastle, IN 46135.