- Date Of Birth: February 2, 1916
- Date Of Death: November 20, 2018
- State: Illinois
Herbert “Herb” W. Dobbs, 102, of Centralia, passed away Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Centralia Manor. He was born February 2, 1916 in Dix, son of Alva Dobbs and Alice (Warner) Dobbs. He married Edna (Foutch) Dobbs on November 13, 1937 and she preceded him in death on January 3, 2006.
Herb is survived by three children: Warren Dobbs and wife Carolyn of Centralia, Judy Rohner of Centralia, and Wayne Dobbs and wife Jody of Centralia; a son-in-law: Clark Bowman of Charleston, South Carolina; 10 grandchildren: Daniel Dobbs and wife Martha of Centralia, Bradley Dobbs and wife Terri of Centralia, Lisa Crouch and husband Mike of Centralia, Lori Wernsman and husband Andy of New Ross, Indiana, Scott Rohner and wife Sue of Opelousas, Louisiana, Tim Dobbs and wife Natalia of Katy, Texas, Todd Dobbs and fiancé Beth of Centralia, Chris Bowman of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Camden Bowman of Charleston, South Carolina, and Courtney Bowman and husband Chris of Charleston, South Carolina; 21 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren with another great-great-granddaughter on the way; a brother: Lee Dobbs of Cape Coral, Florida; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 68 years, a daughter: Joyce Bowman, a son-in-law: Larry Rohner, four sisters: Vernetta Dobbs, Arlene Dobbs, Bernice Hill, and Marie Foutch, and two brothers: Harold Dobbs and Lewis Dobbs. Herb served in the U.S. Army. He was involved in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1934 – 1936.
Herb worked in construction for several years in his life, he started out roofing for the Neil Brothers in Mt. Vernon then in Monroe, Michigan. He later worked in Oakridge, Tennessee in construction, where the Atomic Bomb was created. Herb and Edna started selling army surplus from the back of their car with their four children. They outgrew the trunk of the car and built a 12 foot X 18 foot building, where they continued selling merchandise. The store was known over the years as the Army Surplus Store the Army and Navy, Uncle Herb’s and Dobbs Bargain City. He was a member of the Central City Baptist Church. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and his winter home in Florida. Herb had a very unique gift in telling stories and jokes.
