Elton "Buck" Thobe, 84, Maria Stein, died March 3, 2012, at Heritage Manor, Minster.

He was born Nov. 7, 1927, in Maria Stein, to Henry and Matilda Heitkamp Thobe. On May 10, 1952, he married Norma Hartings, who died Feb. 3, 1989.

Surviving are eight children, Randal (Jane) Thobe, New Bremen, Bonnie (Gary) Garrison, Maria Stein, Rick (Linda) Thobe, Maria Stein, Kay (Herbert) Westgerdes, Fort Recovery, Jan (Mary) Thobe, St. Henry, Jay (Sharon) Thobe, Maria Stein, Phil (Anne) Thobe, Maria Stein, and Bruce (Karla) Thobe, Minster; a daughter-in-law, Kay (Wes) Sanders, Minster; 11 siblings, Alice Varno, Sidney, Delbert (Velma) Thobe, Maria Stein, Mary Mescher, Coldwater, Martha (Thomas) Warner, New Bremen, Donald (Patty) Thobe, Maria Stein, Marilyn (Dale) Miller, Minster, Roland (Shirley) Thobe, Maria Stein, Marjorie (David) Moeller, Maria Stein, David (Jean) Thobe, Minster, Lois (Jay) Hogenkamp, Carthagena, and Larry (Sandy) Thobe, St. Marys; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mary Thobe, Maria Stein, Ginny Thobe, Maria Stein, Alfrieda Mescher, Minster, Alice Moorman, Minster, Vernon (Arlene) Harting, Maria Stein, Doris (Eugene) Imwalle, Maria Stein, Idalene Hartings, Celina, and Leo (Bev) Hartings, Shelby; 34 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son, Timothy Thobe; two sons-in-law, Kenneth Wuebker and Thomas Heckman; three brothers, Virgil Thobe, Werner Thobe, Harold Thobe; six brothers- and sisters-in law, Mary Thobe, Leonard Varno, John Mescher, Linda Moorman, and Walter and Luella Osterholt.

He was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church, Maria Stein, and its Men's Sodality. He graduated from St. Johns High School in 1945 and was a milk hauler and mechanic. He retired from Frank Bomholt & Sons in 1990.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.