Obituary

William J. "Bill" Soboslay, Sr., 74, of Kendallville died Monday, October 15, 2007, at 11 p.m. in Parkview Noble Hospital, Kendallville.

Bill, a lifetime area resident, was the owner of the Kendallville Distributing Corp. and co-owner of The Toggery Shop in Kendallville. He was a 1952 graduate of Kendallville High School, and attended Indiana University. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kendallville where he served as elder and deacon. He was a Past President of the Kendallville Rotary Club; Past President of the Kendallville Chamber of Commerce; a former member of the Kendallville Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, and Shrine. He was a Kendallville youth baseball coach for many years. He was also an avid golfer and held the course record on the Elks golf course.

Bill played minor league baseball and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher, and played for the California Angels minor league.

Bill was born February 24, 1933, in Kendallville to Anton & Florence (Nartker) Soboslay. He and his wife, Sallie (Gardner) Soboslay were married for 54 years. Sallie survives in Kendallville. Also surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Rhae & Jim Dazey of Kendallville and Dee-Ann & Bill Rathge of Kendallville; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Doug & Laura Soboslay of Phoenix, AZ, William Joe Soboslay, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ, Chris Soboslay of Old Hickory, TN, and Jay David & Kay Soboslay of Kendallville; 20 grandchildren, Matt; Carrie; Carla; Carman; Nichole; Robbie; Joey; Megan; Erica; Elizabeth; Sasha; Serenity; Sonya; Chris, Jr.; Julie; Justin, Dustie, Maegan, Miranda; and Jaeden; and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sally Greer.

Services will be Friday, October 19, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, with Rev. Stanley Kessler of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery.

Honorary casketbearers will be John Hutchins, Stan Emerick, Craig fischer, Ed Perkins, Bob Czypryn, Darol Stroman, and Chris Sboslay, Jr.

Active casketbearers will be Bill Rathge, Jim Dazey, Robbie Rathge, Matt Dazey, and Joey Soboslay.

Visitation is Thursday, October 18, 2007, from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Kendallville Public Library.

View a video tribute by Thursday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com