Michael Goben

Michael L. Goben, 61, of Sherrard, Illinois died Thursday, January 12, 2012 at VA Medical Center, Iowa City. Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 17 at Viola United Methodist Church. Rev. Cindy Rettig officiating. Burial will be in Viola Cemetery, with graveside military rites conducted by Mercer County V.F.W. Post 1571. Pallbearers are Michael Goben, Jr., Russell Smith, Kevin Goben, Jeff Goben, Jason Strandberg, Scott Goben, Roger Goben, Cam Goben and Kalin Thompson. Visitation is Monday, January 16 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to a charity of donor's choice or to the family. Michael was born August 4, 1950 in Moline, Illinois a son of Orville Eugene and Lucy Ione Orwig Goben. On December 18, 1982, he married Lalla Pilibosian in Waukegan, IL. He served in the Navy from 1968 - 1986. After he was on the front lines of Vietnam, he held various jobs, such as telecommunications and computer programming. Upon leaving the Navy he was Webmaster at College of American Pathologist before he owned/operated his own computer business in Gurnee, IL. He later owned a car dealership in Preemption, IL. He last worked at Ripple and Fernell Auto Sales, Davenport, IA. He enjoyed sports, racing, remote cars and airplanes and most of all spending time with his family. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lalla Goben, Waukegan, IL; children, Michael Goben, Jr., Sherrard, IL, Toni Goben-Smith and Kimmy Goben, both of Lemon Grove, CA; sister, Sandra (Paul) Strandberg, Coal Valley, IL, Larry (Ruth) Goben, Sherrard, IL, Dennis (Theresa) Goben, Preemption, IL, Benne (Judy) Goben, Viola, IL, Randy (Lucy) Goben, Oquawka, IL and Steve Goben, Keithsburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sally Polk and brothers Victor, Ronald and Roger.