Arlan M. Krehbiel
Obituary
Arlan M. Krehbiel, 89, died on Wednesday (Jan. 4, 2012) in
North Newton. Arlan was born on Oct. 22, 1922, to Arthur and Alvina (Schrag)
Krehbiel in rural McPherson. He was raised on a dairy farm that also had
horses, cattle and mules in rural McPherson. After graduation, he married
Martha Ealey on Sept. 26, 1943, in Oxford. They made their home in Newton and
were married for 54 years. They had four children: Caryn, Gene, James and Mark.
She preceded him in death in 1997. Arlan
worked for Boeing for 36 years as a material planner. He was fortunate enough
to work on the B-17, B-29, B-47, B-52, 737 and the Moon Rover.
His passion was coaching. He was “coach” to many generations
of baseball players. He coached little league baseball for more than 15 years.
He enjoyed camping and was a gifted singer and musician. He overcame a
significant disability through the loss of his leg at age sixteen years. He
continued bowling on a league, playing in pool tournaments with a team from
Newton and also was on Newton’s horseshoe tournament team, which won a state
championship. He had planned to be a professional big league ball player. He enjoyed and was active in many other
sports.
He is survived by his daughter, Caryn and Elwin Harder of
Newton; sons, Gene and Marilyn Krehbiel of Wichita, James and Nancy Krehbiel of
Wichita, and Mark and Becky Krehbiel of North Newton; two brothers, Arthur and
Elaine Krehbiel of Moundridge and Kerry and Nancy Krehbiel of Hesston; sister,
Meroe Graber of Moundridge; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Krehbiel;
parents, Arthur and Alvina Krehbiel; sister, Anita Buterbaugh; and brothers,
Donald and Gene Krehbiel.
Arlan spent many of his final years at Kidron Bethel in
North Newton. He was appreciative of his
time there and the care he received. Arlan was a wonderful story teller and had
many happy memories of his days when he coached baseball.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Saturday at Petersen Home
Chapel.
A memorial has been set up for Kidron Bethel Retirement
Center, in care of Petersen Funeral Home. Visit
www.petersenfamilyfunealhome.com.