Dennis Ray Hoobler.

Eldon John Hoobler.

Kathryn Kay Hoobler.

Karolyn Fay Hoobler

(Ray’s obituary)

Ray Howard Hoobler, 93, of Sargent, Nebraska, died on January 31, 2007, in the Golden Living Center in Sargent.

Services were held at 10: 00 a.m. on February 3, 2007, at the Calvary Untied Methodist Church in Taylor, Nebraska with Rev. Joel Rathbun officiating. Music was provided by Donal Rhoad, soloist, and Jean Harden, organist. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Jeff Hoobler, Troy Hughes, Tyler Hughes, Travis Hughes, Bret Burianck and Mike Beard. Burial was in the Moulton Cemetery, Loup County, Nebraska. Rhoads Funeral Home of Sargent in charge of arrangements.

Ray was born on his grandparents' ranch in west Loup County on August 4, 1913, to John and Pearl (McCallum) Hoobler. He spent his entire life on the ranch and an adjoining farm until he moved to Sargent in 1988.

Ray began farming on his own in 1937, when he moved to the farm next to the ranch, which he later purchased. After he was semi-retired he continued living on the farm and rented the land to his nephew, Jim Ralls. He then had time to raise a large garden and patches of watermelons. He enjoyed giving away produce, especially the black diamond watermelons.

Ray attended Dry Valley School. He loved learning and when his father decided that he should not go to high school. Ray convinced his parents to let him spend a second year in eighth grade. In 1928, he received an award for 100 perfect spelling lessons. In later years he continued his fascination with words by playing Scrabble and he always kept his dictionary handy until he lost his eyesight

Ray enjoyed people. He seldom missed an opportunity to play cards especially after moving to Sargent. He was most concerned when he lost his sight that people would think he was "stuck up" because he didn't recognize them.

He loved spending time with his grandkids. The cards were always on the table ready for another game and his cookie jar was always full. His chocolate chip cookies became famous in Loup County.

The last few years of his life, Ray lived in Grandview Assisted Living in Ord and nursing homes in Broken Bow and Sargent.

Survivors include his children, Dennis and Marion Hoobler of Norfolk, Eldon John and Betty Hoobler of Lexington, Kathy and Ron Fimple of Grand Island, and Karolyn and John McFadden of Taylor, grandchildren, Becki Hoobler, Jeff Hoobler and fiancée Athena Patrianakos, Brenda Gehrman, Troy and Jodi Hughes, Tyler and Julie Hughes, Travis and Clariza Hughes, Missy and Bret McFadden-Burianck, Marti and Mike Beard; eight great-grandchildren; his brother Roy Hoobler of Canyon City, Colorado, and his sister Elva Ralls of Sargent.