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Visitation:
Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. until noon
at Middletown Bible Church
Funeral home: Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral
Home
Obituary
Richard A. "Rich"
Dobey, 77, of Middletown, passed away November 7,
2026, at St. John's Hospital, Springfield.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon
Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Middletown Bible
Church. Cremation rites will then be accorded.
Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home is assisting
the family.
Richard was born May 25, 1949, in Middletown, the
son of Donald and Julia Elizabeth (Sparks) Dobey. He
graduated from Middletown High School in 1967. Rich
married Cindy (Kish) on June 21, 1996. He retired
from Caterpillar after 48 years of service and had
20 years of service with the New Holland Middletown
school district. Rich was a die-hard Chicago Cubs
fan. He enjoyed dirt track, sprint car racing,
especially when Zac Gasparini was racing. He never
knew a stranger and could talk for hours catching up
or getting to know someone. Rich loved his family
and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and
great grand babies. He never missed a sporting event
and was always a steady and constant presence in
their lives. Food was his love language, and he
treated his family as often as he could. Most days
Rich could be found watching old westerns, British
comedies, or Flo racing. Rich was loved by all and
will be remembered for his kind nature and devotion
to his family. |
Survivors include his wife, Cindy Dobey; 5
children: Shawn Terrell, Dawn Boward, Josh (Suzi) Gasparini, Michael (Izzy)
Gasparini, and Zac (Kari) Gasparini; 9 grandchildren: Denver (Sabreena) Hoffert,
Isabella Gasparini (Dyllan Ferguson), Keira Hoffert (Cade McClellan), Garrett
Boward, Emery Boward, Aidan Gasparini, Tyler Gasparini, Owen Gasparini, and
Emmett Gasparini; great grandchildren Adalyn Hoffert and Grayson Ferguson;
siblings Ed Dobey and Jim Dobey, beloved dog Selkie, and nieces, nephews,
cousins, extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom Dobey, sisters Ruth Thomas
and Judy Jennings, 3 infant siblings, and his beloved dogs Purdy and Gotham.
Memorial donations may be made to Middletown Fire and Rescue or Middletown Bible
Church.
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