Joseph C. Goebert

Joseph Calvin Goebert, 99, of Atkinson, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Allure of Geneseo.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Atkinson.  Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht will celebrate.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, Atkinson.  Military honors will be provided by the Atkinson American Legion.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory- Atkinson Chapel.  A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m., prior to the beginning of the visitation.  Memorials may be directed to the Atkinson American Legion, St. Anthony Catholic Church, 204 W. Main Street, Atkinson, IL, 61235 or the Atkinson Fire and Rescue.

Joseph was born on December 20, 1924, in Atkinson, the son of Phil and Anna (VanDeRostyne) Goebert.  He attended St. Anthony Grade School and then graduated from Atkinson High School, class of 1943.  Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving during WWII in the Pacific Theater as a Navy Radioman/Gunner.  He joined in on missions flying from the USS Randolph in a Grumman Avenger aircraft.  Joe married Mary Lou Hecks at St. Anthony’s Church in Atkinson on April 7, 1956.  Joe joined the United States Postal Service following his discharge from the Navy, working at the Atkinson post office, the Rock Island post office, and then was designated as the Postmaster of the Atkinson, IL, office in 1972.  He retired in 1990.  Joe was a member of St. Anthony church, Atkinson Kiwanis Club, Atkinson American Legion, and Henry County 40&8.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Mary Lou Goebert; children, Barry (Suzanne) Goebert of Tomahawk, WI, and Benita (Fred) Robinson of Morris, IL; grandchildren, Emily (Nick) Caruso, Hayley (Ryan) Wendling, Hannah Goebert, Eric (Kelly) Robinson; and great-granddaughter, Isabella Caruso.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Anna Goebert; brother, Lester Goebert; sister, Marge Buysse; and half-brother, Frank VanDeRostyne.