February 24, 2013 Michael Schobel Jr., age 65 passed away following a lengthy illness. Mike was born in Taunton, the son of the late Michael & Hope (Stanley) Schobel. He was educated in Rehoboth schools and a lifelong resident of Rehoboth. Mike was employed as a horse tradesman and truck driver. He was a member of the Eastern Draft Horse Association and enjoyed his involvement in horse pulling contest. He worked as an assistant starter at many race tracks on the East coast and prior to that time his horses were well known and admired for moving the starting gate at Lincoln Downs and Narragansett Park. Along with the generations of families that looked forward to their annual hay rides he provided horse drawn carriage services for countless wedding events. He was best known and respected for his generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand. Mike leaves his daughter Sara Schobel and his granddaughter Hailey Vigneau both of Rehoboth. He also leaves his siblings Jo Ann Rose and her husband Donald of Raynham and Debbie Cortellesso and husband Louie of Ohatchee, Alabama. Mike also leaves many close friends. Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Thursday, Feb. 28th at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780 from 6-8pm. A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 1st at 11:30am in Rehoboth Village Cemetery. Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047