Raymond Dobbs

Raymond E. Dobbs, 84, of Newton died Tuesday morning, Jan. 31, 2012, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown.

A funeral service for Raymond will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being designated in Ray’s name. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery.

Raymond, the son of Orville and Della Opal (Garlock) Dobbs, was born May 22, 1927, in Gibbs, Mo. He had served his country with the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1954. Ray was employed, and retired in 1985, from the Maytag Company in Newton, after 35.9 years.

On July 4, 1950, Ray was united in marriage with Lucille Gomez in Kirksville, MO. He was a longtime resident of the Newton area, since 1949. He enjoyed and devoted his life to his family. He was a kind and warm hearted gentleman, and was a member of the Newton Baptist Temple. In 2008, Ray went to live at the Iowa Veteran’s Home.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lucille; a daughter Mary Hitner; brother Larry Dobbs; and a sister Fern (Frank) White.

Those left to honor Ray’s memory include his six children, Edward (Jackie) Dobbs of Newton, Pam (Daryl) VanBrogen of Sully, Rodney Dobbs of Newton, Russell (Justina) Terlouw of Newton, Debbie (Tim Ridout) Dobbs of Green, Mont., and Curtis (Keri) Burton of Newton; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; a sister Elsie (Guy Herbert “Bill”) Hodge of Newton; his brothers, the Rev. Dean (Rebeana) Dobbs of North Carolina, Albert Dobbs of North Carolina and Jerry Dobbs of Tennessee; and his many friends.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.pencefh.com.