John D. Goebel

John “Jack” Goebel, age 90, of Lewes, DE, departed for the first tee beyond the pearly gates on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Jack was born on April 25, 1936, in Wilmington Delaware, relentlessly punctual ahead of his twin brother, Jim. They attended St. Ann Catholic School, and in 1954, were proud graduates of Salesianum All-Boys Catholic High School. Jack enlisted in the United States Army in 1956, where he served in Würzburg, Germany. He continued government work with the United States Postal Service first as a Mail Carrier and later as Marketing Director until his retirement in 1994.

Jack’s greatest joy stemmed from traveling the country in a motorhome with his wife and daughters to see everything from Graceland to The Redwood Forrest. He fondly remembered taking a puddle jumper tour over the Grand Canyon, “It was so beautiful”.

In his “retirement,” Jack worked the entrance gate at the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ Frawley Stadium and drove a school bus for Colonial School District. He spent his free time, golfing, swimming, and woodworking. He and his wife, Arlene, left New Castle and headed south to Rehoboth Beach in 2000, where he played a round of golf, after working his job cutting the tee boxes at Old Landing Golf Course.

Sadly, in 2001, Arlene, his wife of 36 years, passed away.

He joined American Classic Golf Course where he could be found just about every day, or as he would say, “Any day that ends in ‘Y’!” He took pride in sharing his age with those that the Starter would pair him with, and they were equally impressed with his effortless swing and low golf scores. He also has enjoyed playing bar bingo and attending Shrimp Night at the Rehoboth VFW, going out to dinner and playing dominos with his group of close friends and his partner of 20 years, Sue Faull.

Jack spent his last years, just a short drive from the golf course, at The Moorings in Lewes. He could be found swimming in the pool or meeting his “breakfast club” every morning at The Bistro. In April, his family gathered to celebrate his 90th birthday.

He is remembered by his daughters Donna (Korey), Westhampton Beach, NY and Brenda (Peter), Newark, DE; his grandchildren, Madison, Alex, Owen, Peter Jack, Arly, and countless other family and friends.

A chapel service will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE on Wednesday July 8th at 11 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in memory of John D. Goebel to: Salesianum School Annual Fund, 1801 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE. 19802, or contribute on their secure website salesianum.org.