Krehbiel, Christian E. (1869-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jun 17 p. 1; 23 Jun p. 3

Birth date: 1869 Sep 25

text of obituary:

Former Editor and Conference President Called Away in Death

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR DR. C. E. KREHBIEL HELD AT NORTH NEWTON SATURDAY

Dr. C. E. Krehbiel, for six years president of the General Conference of Mennonites of N. A. and editor of its official German publication, Christlicher Bundesbote, died at his home north of Newton at 11:45 p. m. Wednesday, June 9.

Rev. Krehbiel had been in failing health during the past several years but appeared to have regained his normal strength a few months ago. He was around town earlier in the week, visited with relatives during the day and yet wrote a letter a few hours before his death.

Services in Memorial Hall

A large assembly of friends and relatives attended the funeral held in the Bethel College Memorial Hall Saturday afternoon. Rev. Lester Hostetler, pastor of the Bethel College congregation of which Rev. Krehbiel was a member, officiated. Dr. P. P. Wedel, Moundridge, also a former conference president, preached the funeral sermon and Dr. E. G. Kaufman, president of Bethel College, offered prayer. The body was taken to Halstead for interment.

Rev. Krehbiel was born in Summerfield, Ill., Sept. 25, 1869, the son of Rev. Christian and Susanna Krehbiel. With his parents, brothers and sisters he came to Halstead, Kansas early in his youth and resided there until he established his home in Newton about 47 years ago. In July, 1902, he married Mary Wirkler, who survives with their two children, Rev. Olin A. Krehbiel, Berne, Ind., and Mrs. Florence Harmon, Houston, Tex.

Wide Outreach of Service

After his preparatory education, he continued his training at the Presbyterian Theological seminary, Bloomfield, N. J., in 1898 and in the following year enrolled in the University of Berlin, Germany.

From 1901 to 1920 he was engaged in editorial work on Das Kansas Volksblatt, which later became Der Herold. During 1922 and 1923 he served as relief worker among the Mennonite colonists in Russia. He was ordained into the ministry in 1923 and in 1930 became editor of Christlicher Bundesbote. In 1940 he was elected president of the General Conference. Bethel College conferred the D. D. degree upon him in 1941.

He was a man of strong convictions, yet of a kindly and understanding spirit. Many hundreds here as well as in distant communities will long remember him as a faithful counselor and friend.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jun 23 p. 3