Krehbiel, Erich Paul (1897-1982)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1982 Aug 12 p. 11

Birth date: 1897 Sep 22

text of obituary:

ERICH PAUL KREHBIEL

Erich Paul Krehbiel, son of Peter and Rachel (Reusser) Krehbiel, was born Sept. 22, 1897 at Moundridge, Kan., the oldest of five children. Still living are Mrs. Susie Penner and Mrs. Ellen Greicher of Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Irma (Mrs. Dan) Loganbill of Mission, Tex. and Abe Krehbiel of Ephrata, Wash.

At an early age the family moved to Oklahoma and made several moves, remaining at Geary. This move was profitable through good land acquisition.

Erich was hindered from completing his elementary and high school education due to a leg infection that turned into ostiomyelitis [sic osteomyelitis]. This caused him to have four surgeries between ages 10 and 31. Because he was an avid reader, and in spite of his interrupted schooling due to surgeries, he had what would be equivalent to a college education.

Sunday school and church attendance was a way of life and through the teaching of the Word he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior.

On Aug. 7, 1929 Erich and Mary began 53 years of happiness, not always without life’s problems. God blessed this home with three beloved children.

In 1936 the family moved to Washington, where the Word really became precious to Erich. Further spiritual blessings were received through radio messages by Charles Fuller and Sunday discussions with the family. He served the church as Sunday School superintendent for seven years.

God used a blind evangelist to direct Erich to move to Omaha, Neb. and Grace Bible Institute, now known as Grace College of the Bible, in 1949. After two years of study he was offered employment at the institute. A year later he was asked to become the heating engineer, in which capacity he served for 19 years.

His children survive: Mary Ellen and husband Mike Cappiello of Sun Lakes, Ariz., Barbara Jean and her husband Paul Entz of Nairobi, Kenya and Don and his wife Arlene of Omaha. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren.

He was hospitalized on Apr. 2, 1982 and died June 3.