MERCER, Pa. (EYT) — As Floyd “Hod” Kriebel awaits his 100th birthday on May 21 at the Quality Life Service in Mercer, he thinks about all of the Clarion County connections in his life.
The oldest of eight children of the late Lindsay and Orpha Kriebel of Dutch Hill, Hod helped with the farming and care of animals.
He married Olive Stewart, of Sligo, on July 5, 1947. They started a home in West Freedom and enjoyed 65 years of marriage before she passed away on August 26, 2012.
Hod and Olive raised three children: Stewart Kriebel, formerly of La Verne, California, (deceased December 2, 2011); Ricky Kriebel (Elaine), of New Castle; and Sherry Etzel (David), of Clarion. They had two grandchildren: Paula Kritz of Hubbard, Ohio, and Jeremy Kinney (Kari), of Strattanville, and three great-grandchildren: Katlyn Kritz, of Hubbard, Ohio, and Cole and Lily Kinney, of Strattanville.
Hod worked 45 years for Asplundh Tree Expert Company as foreman and general foreman. The couple also served as bus contractors for the A-C Valley School District.
Hod and Olive were active members of the Park Hill First Church of God in West Freedom. They also loved the Whitehall Church of God Camp in Emlenton. Each August they attended a camp meeting where he served as a security guard, and she drove the bus for those who were unable to walk to and from the worship services.
When the couple retired, they hitched up their camper and headed to Florida for the winter months. The couple loved to travel, and they enjoyed the campground life. In his younger years, Hod loved to fish and hunt and traveled to several of the western states to hunt big game. As he grew older, his favorite sport was golf.
Birthday cards and wishes to may be sent to Floyd Kriebel, c/o Quality Life Service, 8221 Lamor Road, Mercer, Pa. 16137-3163.
