Mary Jane Goble

Mary Jane Goble, 90, of Princeton, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at Liberty Village Nursing Home. Born May 21, 1924, in Dayville, Indiana, to Enid and Louis Esche, she learned to cook and sew at an early age, skills that she refined through 4-H. Her 4-H group traveled to competitions in surrounding states, including riverboat excursions on the Ohio River. In 1946, she earned a bachelor’s in home economics, and later, a master’s in foods and nutrition from Indiana State University. She met Paul J. Goble through a friend, and they were married on August 21, 1948. She taught at Evansville College while he finished his bachelor’s, and they moved together to Marshall, Illinois, where they accepted their first high school teaching jobs. Their first two daughters were born there, and in 1953, the family moved to Princeton, Illinois, where Mary Jane taught at the high school until her third daughter was born. Later, she earned a degree in library science at Illinois State University, and became the librarian at Logan Junior High School, where she worked until she retired in 1984. Except for winters in Harlingen, Texas after retirement, Mary Jane lived in Princeton for the remainder of her life. There, she quilted, played golf, sang in the church choir, and volunteered. She was an active member of Hampshire Colony United Church of Christ, and later, Open Prairie United Church of Christ. Her many friends loved her loyalty, her work ethic, and her kindness. Mary Jane is survived by her husband, Paul, her daughters Bonnie (David) Carlson of Adel, IA, Elaine Swanger of St. Louis, MO, and Rita (Jeff) Calvert of St. Joseph, MI; six grandchildren, Eric (Sarah) Carlson of Belvedere, IL, Mark (Anita) Carlson of Brussels, Belgium, Tim (Marci Baranski) Swanger of Tempe, AZ, Elizabeth Swanger of St. Louis, MO, Philip (Allison) Calvert of Seattle, WA, and Hannah Calvert of Austin, TX; and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, and three brothers, Jim, Morris, and Edward Esche. Pastor Mary Gay McKinney will preside over a memorial service at Open Prairie United Church of Christ at 2:00 pm, Thursday, April 2, with a visitation at 1:00 pm at the church and a light meal after the service. Memorials may be directed to Open Prairie UCC, or to 4-H Clubs Federation. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.

Mary Jane Goble

May 21, 1924 - March 24, 2015