Dr. George H. Oberle, 81, of Sarasota, FL was called home to be with our Lord, on November 19, 2011, after a courageous 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Indiana, he also lived 19 years in Oklahoma, before settling in Sarasota.

George served in the Army Reserve Corps.

George was a man of great character, integrity, and compassion. His love for his family, and friends, and the closeness that they shared, was of the utmost importance.

George graduated in 1948 from Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, IN; earned his A.B. from Earlham College in 1952; M.S. from Butler University in 1956; and his P.E.D. from Indiana University in 1969. His professional experiences include: Mooresville High School, Mooresville, IN; Earlham College, Richmond, IN; North Central High School, Indianapolis, IN; Marion Public Schools, Marion, IN; Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN; Chicago State University, Chicago, IL; Kennedy Foundation, Washington, DC; Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL.

George was a strong advocate of the disabled. He worked in Indiana's first Special Olympic Games, and helped develop the Special Olympics Unified Sports Program. He was appointed by President Reagan, to the National Council on Disability, and helped write and bring into law the American's with Disability Act.

George has been honored for every teaching and administrative position has has held. He has been characterized as a "true developer in his field." 2001, Indiana University, with the John Enright Distinguished Alumni Service Award; 2002, Earlham College Outstanding Alumni Award; The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and as one of the 12 most significant leaders.

George was an All-State athlete while at Earlham College and a Hoosier College Baseball Coach of the year. Earlham also recognized George by his induction into Earlham's Athletic Hall of Fame.


George served on numerous community boards, coached Babe Ruth baseball, helped establish the Marion, Indiana Boys Club. In Sarasota he helped to establish the Sarasota Area Sports Commission, provided leadership at Beneva Christian Church, served on the Board of Directors for Siesta Key Association, Siesta Key Condominium Association, Anchorage Condominium Association, and The Sandpiper Beach Club. He left a positive impact on every community in which he lived.

His family includes his wife, E. Marie Oberle (Whitttymore); son Doug Oberle (Amy), of Sarasota, FL; daughter Terri Floistad (John) of Broken Arrow, OK; brother David Oberle (Chris) of Mooresville, IN; and four precious grandchildren, Bryan Oberle of Houston, TX; Jason Oberle (Marcy) of Boston, MA; BJ Danner of Tulsa, OK; and Nicole Floistad of Broken Arrown, OK.

George is the son of the predeceased George H. Oberle and Margaret (Crutchfield) Oberle, brother Jerry Oberle, and sister Jackie Dorrell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm on December 3, 2011, at Camby Community Church, 8604 Camby Road, Camby, IN, 46113.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made In Memory of Dr. George H. Oberle To: Beneva Christian Church, 4835 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233 or Philanthropy Department, Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.

Website & Online Condolences: www.jonesfamilymortuary.com

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