Dwight Mobley, age 91, passed away on October 9, 2021, after a long and fruitful life.
He was born Maurice Dwight Mobley on December 20, 1929, to Horace and Carrie (Bosaw) Mobley on the farm settled in 1815 by his great grandfather near New Haven, IL. He graduated Ridgway High School and then proudly served his country in the Korean war from 1951-1954. Upon returning from Korea, Dwight married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann McGuire in 1955. They started their family in Champaign-Urbana as Dwight earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1957 and a Master’s Degree in Education in 1962 from the University of Illinois. Dwight began his teaching career at Illiopolis, Chatsworth, and Newton High Schools, teaching Ag and supervising the Future Farmers of America clubs. The family moved to the Mt. Carmel area in 1966, living on a small farm near Lancaster raising a menagerie of cows, pigs, ponies, ducks, dogs, and cats. Dwight and Mary Ann raised four children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (and counting).
Dwight was a member of the Wabash Valley College faculty for over thirty years, teaching Ag Mechanics and Diesel Hydraulics to hundreds of young farmers and mechanics from Wabash County and the surrounding area, ending his career at WVC as Dean of Instruction. Dwight was a fierce champion of vocational education at the community college level and was proud of the growth and success of WVC during his tenure. He also served multiple terms as a member of the Mt. Carmel District 348 School Board and the St. Mary’s School Board. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus, the Lancaster Ruritan Club, and the Wabash County 4-H Fair board. Dwight and Mary Ann were devout members of St. Mary’s Catholic church.
Dwight loved St. Louis Cardinals baseball, the Mt. Carmel High School Aces football, and Wabash Valley College Warriors basketball. After retiring, Dwight and MaryAnn enjoyed taking long trips in their motor home, usually accompanied by a pair of age-matched grandchildren. These trips forged lasting, loving relationships and life-long memories. Everyone will miss Dwight’s infectious optimism and mischievous sense of humor. The hummingbirds will mourn his absence when they return to his room at Holly Brook next spring to find their feeders empty.
Left to cherish Dwight’s memory is his children Diana (Barry) Catt, Elaine (Allen) Brown, James (Linda) Mobley, and Jerry (Cynthia) Mobley; twelve grandchildren Mike and Maria Catt, Kristy and Tyler Murphey, Wade Catt, Matt and Anne McClane, Carrie McClane, Zach and Melissa Mobley, Erin and Wryan Webb, Meagan and Jared Steckler, Amber White, Clif Mobley, Kaitlyn and Al Smith, T.J. Mobley; twelve great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and three infant daughters, Agnes Ann, Mary Christina and Theresa Ann; brother, Gale Mobley and sister, Leta Turner.
There will be a visitation Friday, October 15, 2021, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry St. Mt. Carmel, IL
Funeral Mass be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 16, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 125 W. 5th St. Mt. Carmel, IL; burial will follow immediately after at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Mt. Carmel, IL.
Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic School Endowment Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Mobley family.
