Charles William Sobke, Allen
Charles William “CW” or “Bill” Sobke died Monday, April 16, 2007, at his home near Allen. He was 90.
Mr. Sobke and his father owned and operated a John Deere dealership in Emporia for many years. He was drafted into the Army on Feb. 13, 1942, and served much of the time in the Aleutian Islands working in machine shops on equipment used to build roads and bridges.
The son of Joseph James and Vassie Edith Gist Sobke, he was born Aug. 12, 1916, at the Sobke home north of Agnes City in north Lyon County. He graduated from Strong City High School in 1934.
He married Wilma Hayes on Oct. 3, 1961, at Emporia. They lived on Drury Lane for more than 40 years and then moved to the land homesteaded by his family in the late 1800s where he lived his last years. She survives.
Mr. Sobke was a member of the United Methodist Church. He was a life member of American Legion Ball-McColm Post 5, a member of the Emporia Gardeners of America, a life member of the National Gardeners of America and a past member of the Emporia Bluestem Square Dance Club and square dance and round dance clubs in Topeka.
He is also survived by one daughter, Lyndia DeShazer of Allen; one son, Virgil Edgene Wamser of Neosho Rapids, five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Victory Fellowship Four Square Church. Mr. Sobke was cremated. The private inurnment will be at a later date.
The family suggests that, instead of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Hand in Hand Hospice and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856.