Doyle D. Branstetter

Doyle Dee Branstetter, 61, of Higbee, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2023, at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Do you walk to school or carry your lunch?

Is a battleship longer?  True or False.

These are very familiar if you knew Doyle.  Born 4 minutes after his older brother, the self-proclaimed “more handsome”, Doyle Dee Branstetter arrived on May 19, 1962.  Small enough to fit in a shoe box and use his daddy’s hankies as diapers, Doyle was born to Ralph and Marie Branstetter in Kansas City, Missouri.  Completing his family were brothers Ralph Jr. “Butch”, Rick and twin, David, along with younger sister, Tonya.

Doyle grew up in the Kansas City area and was known for being a prankster, all-around funny guy and a huge KC Royals fan.  In High School he held the bench press record of 350 pounds for 10 minutes until David beat him with a lift of 375 pounds (before he knew his brother held the record). 

After High School Doyle spent his summers working at KC Youth for Christ ranches as a lifeguard and night watchman and attended Christ Unlimited Bible Institute (CUBI) where he learned to preach, pray, sing or die on a moment’s notice.  It was at Circle C Ranch where Doyle met “Red”, who later became his wife.  Doyle and Velvet Gibler were married on August 3, 1985 and spent 38 years together as they raised their four daughters, Reisa, Cali, Jobea and Zayde.  All of Doyle’s ladies have known the special love only he could give.

Doyle spent his life as a pastor, worked as a corrections officer in Moberly and drove for Stage Department Stores.  Doyle and Velvet were involved in CNS Ministries where their home was opened to at-risk teenage girls from across the world.  While working at this ministry, Doyle was in charge of servicing and maintaining the many ministry vehicles, of which he memorized all the license plate numbers.  Doyle had a mind for facts and numbers and would recite countless ones to whoever would listen.

Doyle was very proud of his time spent investing in the lives of youth and once preached to an audience of 4,000+ people.  In the Tri Association of the Southern Baptist Churches, Doyle helped re-open camps Inlow and Cedar Crest where countless kids heard about Jesus Christ each summer.

Velvet also came home many times to a stranger in their home, whom Doyle had picked up.  He shared Jesus with them, allowed them to shower, fed them and then took them further along their journey.  Doyle’s most recent work, before his health caused him to retire, was working with the mentally and physically challenged.  He loved these men and spent hours pouring into their lives and sharing his famous “corny” jokes.

Doyle was preceded in death by:  his mom, Marie (Barber) Branstetter, brother Ralph Lemoine Jr. “Butch”, Uncle Don Branstetter, Uncle Gary Branstetter, nephew Mark Branstetter and Father-in-law, Frederick Gibler.

Surviving Doyle are:  wife, Velvet (Gibler) Branstetter and four daughters, Reisa Marie (Struble) and Lee; Yve Calai (Ballard) and Daniel; Jobea (Branstetter) Parker;  and Zadlyn Ki Branstetter.  Doyle’s pride and joys were his three grandkids: Francelene “Franny” Labbee (Ballard); Nevaeh “Vaeh” Struble and Rikki Lee Struble (his weekend buddies).  Also surviving are his dad, Ralph Lemoine Branstetter and wife, Aida “Edie” and siblings, Richard Paul Branstetter and wife, Tina; David Lee Branstetter; and Tanya Marie (Branstetter) Haidar and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

Doyle’s life on this earth was spent loving people, making them laugh and never knowing or judging a stranger.  He wanted to encourage you to do the same.  Know Jesus.  Serve Him.  Love Others.

And no.  The Doyle jokes at the beginning of this obit do not make any sense.  His style.  Always. 

A visitation celebrating Doyle's life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023, followed by a funeral service at 5:00 p.m. at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Moberly, MO. Memorial contributions are appreciated to the Redeemer Church Building Fund P.O. Box 1012 Moberly, MO 65270 or donated to the fund through Central Bank.

Local arrangements are under the direction of PATHWAY-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, Missouri 65270 (660) 263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.