Mrs. Maxine Bennett Goebel, 82, a resident of Owensboro, Kentucky, died Friday, July 3, 2026, with her children by her side. She was born in Madisonville, Kentucky, June 9, 1944, to Kelley Elliot Bennett and Helen Quertermous Bennett. She was a 1962 graduate of Murray High School and continued her education at Murray State University, graduating in 1965.
She taught school in the Lexington and Owensboro school systems, eventually retiring from teaching 8th grade Earth Science at Burns Middle School in Owensboro. Mrs. Goebel was an active volunteer in her community and was on the Board of the Owensboro spouse abuse shelter and was a member of the Junior League of Owensboro. She was also a member of the Married Ladies Reading Club of Owensboro. She enjoyed reading and gardening, but most of all spending time with her friends and family.
She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Judge E. Robert Goebel, in September of 2025 and a brother, John Bennett, of Riverside, California. She is survived by her daughter, Adrienne Goebel Smith, and her husband, Vernon H. Smith III, of Peachtree City, Georgia; her son, Robert E. Goebel, and his wife, Hannah, of Owensboro; a brother, Kelley (Skipper) Bennett, and his wife, Jo Anne, of Castle Rock, Colorado; and a sister-in-law, Anne Bennett, who was married to her brother, John. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Bennett Smith, Vernon H. Smith IV, Silas Goebel, Eberle Goebel, Cora Goebel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Goebel will be cremated, and a joint service will be held for Judge and Mrs. Goebel at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Owensboro, where they were members. Visitation will be on Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church. The joint service will begin at 11:00 a.m. and following the service, their ashes will be inurned at the Columbarium at the church. Lunch will be provided by the church immediately after. Any memorials for Mrs. Goebel should be made to Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota through their secure online giving platform where you can dedicate your donation to her memory.