On October 5, 2024, the Oberle family lost our patriarch and the best man we’ve ever known. Kenneth Wayne Oberle, age 73, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his wife of 55 years and children who adored him.
Ken was born on April 11th, 1951 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Lawrence and Rose (Sauro) Oberle. Growing up in the Soo, Ken had fond memories of playing hockey as a goalie and spending time with his many cousins, aunts, and uncles, as well as, his siblings and parents. Upon graduation, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Pam, on August 10th, 1969. They soon after began a family and moved downstate to South Lyon, Michigan where they lovingly raised their four children.
Ken was always a hard worker and instilled his positive work ethic among his children. He was employed at Translogic Corporation for 35 years as a Service Technician. Upon his retirement, Ken and Pam moved to Florida where he began to follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to his love for Michigan man, Tom Brady. While living in Florida, Ken enjoyed spending quality time with his two granddaughters, Laurelle and Lennox. He was an active grandpa who loved watching Laurelle’s theatre productions and Lennox’s hockey games. Ken was so very proud of all of his grandchildren and liked to brag about them to anyone who would listen.
As a life-long sports fan, Ken reveled in Red Wings Hockey and University of Michigan football, fondly using “Go Blue!” as his name on donut and coffee orders across the state of Florida, only to hear those beloved words shouted out into a crowd of people. He proudly wore U of M and Red Wings attire everywhere he went. He also loved Costco, Publix subs, every dessert known to man, and his family.
He was as beloved as any man could hope to be, and his humor, smile, and energy will be missed tremendously by those of us lucky enough to have known him.
Ken is survived by his loving wife, Pam, children Crystal (Chris) Ihrke, Lisa (James) Hatfield, Beth (Kevin) Bandy, and Erik (Rachel) Oberle, and grandchildren Camryn, Carson, Laurelle, Jack, Lila, Kate, and Lennox. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, JoAnn Collins of Sault Ste Marie, MI, Donna Rogers of Las Cruces, NM, David Oberle of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Mark Oberle of Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Rose, and his brother, Larry Oberle.