Goebel, Elmer A. 1891-1934

GOEBEL, MARX

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 1/26/2017 at 08:17:16

Source: Alton Democrat ( 3-16-1934)

Born: July 6, 1891
Died: March 9, 1934

Elmer A. Goebel, son of Mrs. Peter Goebel of Alton died Friday, March 9, at his home in Sioux City as the result of streptococcus poising with which he had been ill since last October. He was at the hospital most of the winter and made a brave fight against the disease, but complications set in and he passed on at 9:15 on the morning on Friday.

Elmer Anthony Goebel was born at Anton July 6, 1891, attended St. Mary’s Academy of which he was a graduate. He studied music at Maquokera, Iowa, and at the same time made a study of photography and fingerprinting. He was married May 8, 1917, to Viola Marx of Le Mars. Two daughters, Eunice, 14 years, and LaVoune, 11 years, were born to this union and one boy died in infancy. They lived at Fielding, Iowa for two years during which time Mr. Goebel was manager of a store. They settled at Alton where he assisted at the Homan Clothing Store and later became owner of the store. Business reverses during years of depression were disastrous and both business and home were lost to the family. Courageously they began anew, securing a position in Sioux City with Ellerman’s wholesale jewelry company where he was employed for about a year. Preceding the last election he campaigned successfully for Tice for sheriff, and after Sheriff Tice’s election he was appointed a deputy, the first deputy sheriff to be sworn into office. In this office his early study of finger print photography came into use and he proved himself an invaluable man in his new office, cataloguing 1500 finger prints after his induction into office an having charge of the office records, earning for the Sioux City office the reputation of having the best records in the state or nation, according to a letter received by the sheriff from Washington.

In his industry, ability and upright character he won the respect and confidence of associates and others with whom he came in contact in his new work. Like his father, the late Mayor Peter Goebel, he was ever considerate of the unfortunate and his associates tell of many kindnesses done for prisoners awaiting trial, although he was always alert to his duty. It was told that one day when a dangerous criminal under arrest, though the carelessness of another deputy had escaped down an elevator, Mr. Goebel ran all the way down six flights of stairs and met the man at the elevator door, placing him under the arrest, though the deputy was without a weapon and but half the size of the prisoner.

Besides his wife and daughters, his mother, those surviving are three brothers, Louis T. and Maris J. Goebel of Anton; Edward H. Gobel of Denison; and two sisters, Miss Viola Mae of Alton and Miss Stella H. Goebel of Danbury, Iowa. His father, the late mayor, and sister, Mrs. A.J. Riedmiller of Danbury, passed on within the last year and a half, and the family harem as well as the bereaved wife and daughters, have the heartfelt sympathy of the community. Mrs. Goebel and daughters will remain in Sioux City at least until June, so that the girls can complete the school year. Both are honor students at the Cathedral School.

Services were held Monday morning at St. Mary’s Church with Requiem High Mass by Very Reverend M.A. Schemel. Reverend M. Max of Kingsley, uncle of Mrs. E. A. Goebel, attended the funeral. Pallbearers were Deputy Sheriff William Keane and John Zechman of Sioux City, John J. Scheckel, John Schroeder, Louis Lieb, B.G. Hoxmefer. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Due to the bombing disturbances in Sioux City, Sheriff Tice could not attend the funeral but several of his staff including two pallbearers and Miss Marie Yohake were present, besides a goodly number of other Sioux City friends.

Out of town relatives present were Ed Goebel of Denison, A.J. Riedmiller and Miss Stella Goebel of Danbury; Mrs. Art Marx, Anton Meis, Mrs. S.J. Marx, Ed Tentinger, Ray Tentinger, P. Marx, Joe Marx, all of Le Mars; Mrs. William Carey, Fonda; Laura Marx, Mrs. J.J. Enright, Wilmina Marx, Mr. and Mrs. John Marx, Florence Marx, Clarence Marx, Mr. and Mrs. C. Larson, Fred Marx, Mrs. Leo Marx, all of Sioux City; Mrs. H.D. Wells, Manchester, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Neumers, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Schuver, Mathilda and Anna Goebel, Henry and John Goebel, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Mitch, all of Granville; Miss Rosella Neumers, Fluda, Minnesota.