Gene F OBERST

4 FEB 1933 - 9 SEP 2010

• BIRTH: 4 FEB 1933, Evansville, Vanderburgh, IN
• DEATH: 9 SEP 2010, Rockford, Winnebago County, IL

INDEX

[N24793] Gene Frederick Oberst

BIRTH 4 Feb 1933
Evansville, Vanderburgh County, IN

DEATH 9 Sep 2010 (aged 77)
Rockford, Winnebago County, IL

BURIAL
Rockton Township Cemetery
Rockton, Winnebago County, IL
PLOT Addition 4 Range 14 Lot 7 Space 6 East
MEMORIAL ID 58439545 · View Source

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From the September 10, 2010 edition of the Rockford Register Star

GENE F. OBERST, 77 ROCKTON - Gene F. Oberst, 77, a longtime resident of Rockton passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, surrounded by his family. Born Feb. 4, 1933, in Evansville, Ind., the son of Julian and Esther Oberst. Gene was married 52 years to his lovely wife, Joyce Oberst, and loved his family, performing, teaching music, traveling and service. Gene was a teacher and performer of music and the arts. He received a bachelor's degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. In the classroom, he shared his passion and enthusiasm for music with his students. Gene taught for 31 years at Hononegah High School in Rockton as director of bands. He led a variety of musical programs, including concert bands, jazz bands, marching bands, pep bands, flag corps, choirs and musicals. Before his tenure at Hononegah High School, he was the band director in Donovan School District in Donovan. As a musician, Gene performed with the Rockford Symphony and the Beloit Symphony. He performed with many local dance bands, "gigs," circuses and ice shows at the MetroCentre in Rockford and other venues. He also had the opportunity to perform with famous entertainers, including Bob Hope, The Temptations and Gladys Knight & the Pips, to name a few. After retiring from teaching, Gene played in the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra for 18 years, performing in the Midwest, South and on cruises. He was a master at all woodwind instruments, and especially enjoyed playing the tenor sax. During retirement, Gene also enjoyed traveling with his wife and friends, including frequent cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska. Gene was active in community and professional services organizations. He served on the board of trustees of the Rockton Fire Department from 1990 to 1998. Also served several terms as the Hononegah Education Association president. As a member of the Illinois Education Association, he served a term on the state legislative committee. As a member of the National Education Association, he attended three national conventions. Gene served a term as district chairman and member of the State Board of the Illinois Music Educators. Served several terms as vice president of the Rockford Musical Association. Gene was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Ky., and Frankfurt, Germany, with the 3rd Army Division Band. Survived by wife, Joyce Oberst; sister, Shirley (Don) Portolese; sister-in-law, Eleanor (Larry) Higdon; brother-in-law, Joe Critchfield; sons, Kevin, Jeffrey (Paula), David (Deborah), Stephen (Melissa) and Michael (Tonjia); grandchildren, Ashley, Danielle, Justin, Cory, Christopher, Kyle, Megan, Emily, Thomas, Evan, Jonathan, Brianna, Hannah and Haley; and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 822 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis., with Father John Hedrick officiating. Burial in Rockton Township Cemetery, 600 West St., Rockton. Visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, in McCorkle Funeral Home, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton, with a scripture service at 3 p.m. Visitation also from 9 a.m. Monday to time of service in the church.