Arnold Dietzel
1914 - 2014
Obituary
HESSTON - Arnold J. Dietzel 99, died
Friday, July 4, 2014 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. He was born
August 4, 1914 in Bay Port, Michigan to Samuel Henry and Elma Celeste
(Stein) Dietzel. On July 12, 1946 he married Wilmetta Weaver at
Hesston Mennonite Church in Hesston and she survives. He has
maintained his membership in the Hesston Mennonite Church for many
years and served the church in many capacities including a Sunday
school teacher. Arnold was a 1932 graduate of Pigeon, Michigan High
School and a 1941 graduate of Goshen College with a degree in
business. He earned his master's degree in business education from
the University of Michigan in 1955. Arnold attained additional
education in Bible and Seminary training at Ontario Mennonite Bible
School, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Goshen Bible Seminary. He
served as a conscientious objector during WW II through Civilian
Public Service projects. Following the war he served in the Merchant
Marines and made two trips to Europe on Merchant Marine Ships to help
war torn Danzig, Poland. Arnold had long career as a teacher,
missionary and travel agent retiring in 1988 after 26 years as
manager of Menno Travel in Newton. He started his career as a grade
school teacher in Rural Michigan, 2 years teaching college at both
Hesston College and Tabor College in Kansas, he served 5 years in
India with the Mennonite Board of Missions and six years with
Mennonite Central Committee and Menno Travel service in Akron,
Pennsylvania and Beirut, Lebanon. Arnold was a long time member of
the Newton Rotary Club. He was a resident of North Newton for 44
years until his move along with his wife to Schowalter in Hesston. He
greatly enjoyed spending time with his loving family and many friends
he has made on his life's journey.
Arnold is survived by his wife Wilmetta
of Hesston,; son Ronald and his wife Shirley Dietzel of Newton;
daughters: Margaret Hillegass of Jerome, Pa.; and Carol Cranston of
Newton; He has seven grandchildren : Rhonda Sanders, Loren Dietzel,
Justin Dietzel, Christina Clement, Beth Hillegass, John Hillegass,
and Shonnie Cranson and seven great grandchildren and was looking
forward to meeting his 8th great grandchild.
Arnold is also survived by brothers:
Reuben Dietzel and his wife Gertrude of Sarasota, Fla.; Harlan
Dietzel and his wife Mildred of North Manchester, Ind.; sister in law
Fran Dietzel of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and one sister Helen Loewen
of Minneapolis, Minn.
Arnold is preceded in death by his
parents; brothers A. Herklas Dietzel and his wife Verna; Loren
Dietzel and his wife Mary; Carlton Dietzel; sister Lenora Sempira and
her husband E.K. and brother in law Hubert Loewen.
A celebration of Arnold's life will be
1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2014 at Hesston Mennonite Church with
Pastor John Murray presiding. Private family interment will be in
Eastlawn Cemetery in Zimmerdale.
In Lieu of flowers memorials are
suggested to Mennonite Central Committee in care of Petersen Funeral
Home 215 North Main Newton, KS, 67114
