Virginia Ann ‘Tina’ Bobek, of Plainville, Kansas, passed away on January 23, 2026, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas, at the age of 86.
She was born on December 14, 1939, to Albert and Rosie (Desaire) Hamel in Damar, Kansas. Following high school, Tina began working as a waitress in Letha’s Cafe where she met the love of her life, William ‘Bill’ Bobek, a regular customer of Letha’s, who slid a silver dollar under his plate for her tip. Following their marriage in 1960, she worked at Travenol in Hays before she and Bill purchased B&M Recreation in Plainville, later renamed Tina’s Recreation (fondly known locally as ‘The Pool Hall’). She never met a stranger she couldn’t befriend. Many patrons often returned for her friendly, hometown service, and she spent many years serving old and new friends. When she wasn’t serving friends, she enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, spending time with her grandchildren, and the occasional trip to the casino to play her favorite penny slots. The family fondly remembers her smiling and quoting customers, ‘Just one more, then I have to go.’
Tina is survived by her children: Kayla Hamblet (Rocky) of Plainville, Chris Bobek (Stacey) of Phoenix, AZ, and Kevin Bobek (Shari) of Plainville; brothers, Alvin 'Pal' Hamel of Damar, Ronald ‘Duck’ Hamel of Plainville; sister, Dorothy Staab (Bob) of Plainville; seven grandchildren: Lindsey Base-Hamblet (Nick) of Aurora, CO, Lacey Sweeney (Kenny) of Hays, KS, Landon Hamblet of Hays, KS, Samantha Bobek (Bradley Buck) of Hays, KS, Dalton Bobek of New York, NY, Colton Bobek of Hays, KS, Simone Griest (Brandon) of Manhattan, KS; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William ‘Bill’ Bobek; her parents; brothers, Gene and Junior Hamel; and sisters, Betty McNabb and Kaylene Hazelhorst.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, 6-7 PM with a Vigil and Rosary Service at 7 PM, all at the funeral home in Plainville.
Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.
Online condolences may be sent to www.plumeroverlease.com