Obituaries

October 22, 1936 to October 22, 2023

WINAMAC – Phyllis M. Goble-Kruger, was born at 7:30 a.m., Oct. 22, 1936 and passed away 87 years later at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

Born Phyllis Wigner in Yeoman, IN, She met her first husband, Bob Goble, on a blind date to Indiana Beach, and they were married Sept. 12, 1954. He died in 1998. She later married Devon Kruger in 2005, who also preceded her in death.

Phyllis Goble-Kruger

She is survived by:
Dr. Cherie Goble, daughter
Mike Goble, son
Mary Heal, daughter
4 grandchildren and their children:
   Stephanie (Zach) Brennan - Nathan, Cameron, Allison
   Scott Goble - Channing, Maddox, Zoe, Brielle
   Nicole (Austin) Cowley - Shaun, Bobby
   Nathan (Faith) Goble - Dominic
Becky Tiede, sister-in-law
Bob Schultz, brother-in-law
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Preceded in death by:
Steven Goble, son
Frank Wigner, father
Mary Kilmer, mother
Wilber Kilmer, step-father
Dwain Wigner, brother

Mrs. Goble-Kruger’s 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 and husband Bob were active community members, Phyllis in Iris-Elm Garden Club, Happy Homemakers Extension 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. She 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. People saw her faith in her courage, especially after Bob died, when she traveled solo to Italy where she made life-long friends. A few years ago, she 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 loved her saw throughout her life; especially Devon Kruger. The two 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, Fla. 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. She served in various leadership positions of the local garden club, as well as at the district and state levels. 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 needed a kind ear and perspective; which she lived by in her personal philosophy,“Wherever you are, be there.” 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac; and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations 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.