Richard Griebel's Obituary
Richard (Dick) Griebel 94, of Hoagland passed away Monday, December 28, 2015 at Adams Heritage in Monroeville.
Born September 5, 1921 on the family farm in Marion Township to parents Martin A. and Clara M. (Doctor) Griebel, Dick lived on, and farmed the same land for 92 years. He was a past member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as elder, usher, and member of the church council. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church (Soest) where he was baptized, confirmed, and worked as the church janitor. He graduated from Gorham country school and attended Hoagland High School until he was needed on the farm during the depression. He also served as Marion Township Trustee for 24 years and was a school board member for the former Hoagland School District. In 1944 Dick met Edie Reinking at Bell’s Roller Rink at a Walther League event. He proposed on Christmas Eve and they were married June 2, 1945. A skilled carpenter, Dick built several houses, and constructed the Hoagland Drugstore which his parents operated from 1946-47. In addition to his love of the land, he enjoyed antique tools and tractors and for many years ran a flea market stand along with Edie and also made hand loomed rugs.
Dick was welcomed into God’s presence by the family members who went before him: his parents, infant daughter, Nancy, grandson, Scott Saalfrank, sisters Alice Rodenbeck, Maxine Barnhardt, Francis Daly, and brother, Reverend William Griebel.
Dick is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ida (Reinking) Griebel, daughters, Pamela Bradtmueller of New Haven, Beverly Smith of Hoagland, Sharon Hare (Steve Foote) of Angola, Andrea (Bruce) Counterman of Ft. Wayne, and Caroline (Dallas) Groten of Spring Valley, MN, and son, Thomas (Sheryl) Griebel of Chippewa Falls, WI. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one brother, Carl Griebel of Ft. Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 31st at E. Harper & Son Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven, with Rev. David Griebel and Rev. Kyle Krueger officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Fort Wayne.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at E. Harper & Son Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Memorials are preferred to Worship for Shut-Ins or The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Global Mission Fund.
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