Sunday, May 5, 2024
Robert Gohlke, age 84, of Gatesville, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 19, 2023, surrounded by his children.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 23, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church in Coryell City, with Pastor Christopher Richmann officiating. Burial followed at St. John Lutheran Cemetery.
Robert James Gohlke was born on November 4, 1938, the last of three children to the late Walter Henry and Olga Neuman Gohlke of Coryell City. He was brought by his parents for Holy Baptism to St John’s Lutheran Church in Coryell City as an infant on December 25, 1938, where he also confirmed his faith on April 6, 1952. Robert was raised in a strong Christian family. Church was an integral part of his life, raising his children in the faith and serving many roles including church council and Sunday School superintendent. He was raised on a farm and was not a stranger to hard work. He was a proud member of the Gatesville Graduating Class of 1956 and enjoyed many lifelong friendships. Robert voluntarily enlisted in the Army in April 1959, served at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and worked at M.A.T.E.S. in North Fort Hood. He was honorably discharged in April of 1969. He met Sarah O’Nell Stubbs, the love of his life, at a St John’s Lutheran Church Luther League social event in the fall of 1960. They married on March 17, 1962. He began his career at the Texas Department of Transportation in Gatesville in 1971 and was promoted to Assistant Maintenance Foreman in 1976. He moved to Hamilton County when he became the TxDOT Maintenance Foreman in 1987. He retired in 1997 and he and his wife, moved back to Gatesville. He loved spending many years of retirement with Sarah, watching their grandchildren grow, working with wood and refinishing many antiques, playing dominos with friends, gardening and watching the wildlife on their place, traveling, and serving others in his community through Meals on Wheels and in-home Communion Ministry through his church.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sarah of 59 years; brother, Curtis Gohlke; and a sister, Dorothy Gohlke Kellerman.
He is survived by his three children, Melissa Bendele and husband, Randy, of San Antonio, Stephanie Condojani and husband, John, of Telluride, Colorado, and Nathan Gohlke and wife, Nicole, of Gatesville; six grandchildren, Amber Bendele Brown and husband, Brandon, Colton Bendele, Bailey Gohlke, Kendra Condojani, Shelby Condojani and Brenden Gohlke.
In place of flowers, the family has designated memorials to be given to St. John Lutheran Church, 10801 FM 929, Gatesville, TX 76528.
