Rev. David Gobeli

    The Rev. David Lee Gobeli, 63, of 381 Willow Brook Dr., Mason City, Iowa died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit of North Iowa, Mason City.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at Grace United Methodist Church, Mason City.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 -7 p.m. at the Hogan-

Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City and then one hour before the service on Thursday at the church.  Burial will be in Meservey Cemetery, Meservey, Iowa.  Family suggests memorials to Grace United Methodist Church or Hospice of North Iowa.
        David was born March 30, 1948 at North Iowa Mercy Hospital in Mason City the son of Lester and Avis (Wilson)) Gobeli.  David grew up on the family farm north of Meservey.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Meservey.
     David had serious health problems from birth and at the age of eight suffered from a very serious kidney illness that only by the grace of God did he survive.  He attended Meservey Community School until the eighth grade; then Meservey-Thornton Consolidated Schools until graduating in1966.  After graduation, David held down different jobs including working at Mercy Hospital where he met Sandra Miller. Dave and Sandi were married on July 12, 1969 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mason City.
     The greatest blessing in his life was the birth of their son, Christopher David Gobeli.  He was born on Feb. 1, 1977.  Dave, Sandi and Chris had some wonderful vacations.  Dave shared his love of gardening with Chris.  He was always so proud of Chris.  It meant so much to him that he was able to participate in the marriage of Chris to Samantha Bohn. His second and third greatest joys were the birth of his two grandsons, Ian and Isaac.  They were precious to him and it was important to him that he baptized both of them.
     For the first 10 years of their marriage David drove semi during the summer months for Mitchell Transport in Mason City.  During the winter months he hauled livestock for different companies including Bonner Trucking.  In 1978 health problems forced him out of trucking.  During the next several years he did everything from working in a packing plant, steel work and construction work.  During that time he also went back to college and graduated with a degree in Industrial Electrical Maintenance at North Iowa Area Community College.
     David was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ all of his life.  He had many health problems all of his life but he never questioned his faith and he trusted that God was always with him.  For many years Dave and Sandi were youth leaders at Grace United Methodist Church, Mason City.  He enjoyed helping the youth cut down and sell wood to earn money to buy a bus.  He considered them all his kids and loved it when he would hear from one of them.  In 1990 he found his real calling and entered the ministry. In 2001 David was ordained an Associate Member and Deacon of the United Methodist Church.  During his 20 years in the ministry he served the Zion (Sheffield), Ventura, Morgan, Lee Center, Bradford, Hancock, and Silver Creek United Methodist Churches.  In December 2008 health problems forced him to retire.   While at Morgan, Lee Center and Bradford he led a Recovery Bible Study that was very important to him.  He also had a truck stop ministry where he enjoyed having coffee, talking politics and sharing his faith.
     David loved gardening and raising roses.  He enjoyed having coffee and sharing his faith with others.  He also didn’t mind talking politics.
     He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sandi of Mason City; son, Christopher (Samantha) Gobeli and grandsons, Ian and Isaac of Britt, Iowa; brothers, Daryl, (Norman Jean) Gobeli, Donald Gobeli; sisters-in-law, Jeanyce Gobeli, Marlene Gobeli, Barbara Lindquist; sister and brother-in-law, Rhonda and Chip Hurd; and many nieces and nephews.
     He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Avis Gobeli; mother-in-law, Maxine Chaney; father-in-law, Clarence Miller; brothers, Allan and Leonard Gobeli; sister-in-law, Marge Gobeli; and half-brother, Irwin Lindquist.
    Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City,  was in charge of arrangements.