Obituary of Doris Jean Arbogast

Doris Dacal Arbogast, 85, died peacefully on Oct. 7, 2015 in her daughter’s home in Roanoke, VA. She was born February 24, 1930 in Wilco, West Virginia to the late Perfecto Dacal and Fannie Bokano. Doris was the devoted wife of the late Jack H. Arbogast for 63 wonderful years. Family members left to cherish her memory are daughter Deborah Arbogast Newman and her husband Robert; son Jack Hollis Arbogast, Jr; grandchildren Brett Newman, Jeremy Newman, and Alexandra Arbogast; and four great grandchildren: Brett’s twins Amari and Amia; and Jeremy and Kristin’s children, Camden and Jace . Doris is also survived by her sister Frances Sanford, brother Perfecto (Woody) Dacal Jr., and several nieces and nephews. Doris’ early years were spent in a coal mining town in West Virginia. Her family later moved to Beckley, WV and she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Beckley College, where she played basketball, and also attended Concord College (now Concord University) in Athens, West Virginia. After two years, there was such a demand for teachers that she left college and started teaching elementary school. This became her life’s work and upon her retirement in 1991 she had taught for 39 years. Along the way, she completed her degree at Madison College (JMU) in 1964. Fondly remembered by her students, Doris touched many lives during her years as an educator. Encountering former students who thanked her for the time she taught them brought her much joy and justified her lifelong commitment. She was passionate about the importance of hard work, perseverance, fairness, self-confidence, and the competitive spirit. Doris was a devoted mother and grandmother that traveled many miles to visit with family. For the past two and a half years she delighted in watching her great grandchildren play. She enjoyed bowling through most of her entire adult life, delighted in dressing her geese (lawn ornaments) in costumes, and never ceased to marvel at the hummingbirds outside her window. As a member of the Dayton Church of the Brethren, she especially enjoyed Bible study. Special thanks to caregiver Lisa Millirons for the care, love and support she gave Doris and the family for over two years. Also thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice for their care. The family will receive friends in Roanoke at the Simpson Funeral Home on Sunday, Oct 11 from 2pm-4pm. On Monday, Oct. 12 friends will be received at the Dayton Church of the Brethren in Dayton, VA at 10:30am. The funeral service will follow immediately at 11:30 am and burial to follow that at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Harrisonburg. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Doris may be given to the Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. 100 Mount Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. (540)366-0707.