Kenneth Torbet

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Kenneth I. Torbet, 94, formerly of Marble Hill, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 12, 1921, in Ethan, South Dakota, son of the late Ernest A. and Mable S. Little Torbet. He and Mary Hoover were married Oct. 13, 1942, in Grant City, Missouri.

Ken was a World War II Navy (Machinist Mate 3rd Class) veteran who was stationed in Bermuda when the U-505 German submarine was captured and towed into port. He made the trip to Chicago in 2011 to view the ship at the Museum of Science and Industry. He attended the Cape County Cowboy Church. He retired from the Natural Gas Pipeline in 1978, and spent many years managing his sons' band, The Good Vibrations. Ken enjoyed "tinkering" in his garage, gardening and fishing with his wife of nearly 70 years, before she passed away in 2012. After his wife's passing, he enjoyed playing his keyboard for the "old people" at local nursing homes. But most of all he was proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of which he was affectionately known as "Grandpa-great."

Loving survivors include four children, Sharon (Ron) Stroder of Jackson, Steve (Brenda) Torbet of Sikeston, Missouri, Mike (Carolyn) Torbet of Jackson and Chris (Sandy) Torbet of Oak Ridge; nine grandchildren, Ron R. (Laura) Stroder, Lisa Stroder and Angie Fields of Jackson, David (Angie) Torbet and Matt (Danielle) Torbet of Cape Girardeau, Tracy Meyr (Ben Ritter) of St. Louis, Lindsay Roark of Marble Hill and Bradley (Jeana) Warner and Chauntel (Johnathon) Knudson of Jackson; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; a brother, Don; and a sister, Thelma.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at noon Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Interment will be at 3 p.m. in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Ron Stroder, David Torbet, Matt Torbet, Bradley Warner and Johnathon Knudson, and great-grandsons Jacob Colyott, Kyle Colyott, Andrew Fields and Weston Stroder.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Missouri State Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.