Richard “Dick” Kriebel

Richard "Dick" Kriebel, 77, of Benton, died Thursday afternoon, January 14th, 2021 at his home.  

Born June 29, 1943 in Norristown, Montgomery County, he was a son of the late Wilmer Koons Kriebel and Catherine Louise (Starr) Kriebel.  He and hiswife, Janet Carolyn (Buckwalter) Kriebel, would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on February 23rd.

He was a graduate of the Collegeville-Trappe High School in 1961.  He also took the Kellogg Foundation's Public Affairs Leadership Program and Travel Seminar, graduating in 1975.

Richard was a well known area dairy farmer, retiring in 1997 after a 30 plus year career in agriculture.    

He was a long-time and very active member of Benton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he had served as an Elder, Church Moderator and was a member of the Men's group and the Church Choir.  

Active in community affairs, he was a 4-H Dairy Club Leader, served on the Columbia County Extension Committee; was chairman of the Columbia County Planning Commission; served on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Farm Credit, where he was chairman for 3 years; the Board of Directors of AgFirst Farm Credit, where he was chairman for 2 years; Chairman of the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board for 8 years; served on many Cooperative Boards and on the ASCS Board of Directors.  

His hobbies included his love for farming, traveling, supporting his kids and grandchildren's sporting activities as well as card/board games and music.  

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Janet, are his four children:  Faith Schlichter and her husband, Harry "Kevin", of Benton; Scott Kriebel and his wife, Nancy, of Mifflinville; Wendy Kriebel and her fiancée, Carl Pearson, of Raleigh, NC; Kristen Kriebel, of Enfield, CT; his grandchildren Regina Schlichter (Alyssa); Alicia Laskowski (John); Harry Schlichter (Jessica); Nathan Schlichter (Alexa) and Dallas Kriebel; his great grandchildren: Jaidyn Laskowski, Lily Schlichter, Cassidy Schlichter, Keely Schlichter and Ellie Schlichter.  Also surviving are three sisters:   Carolyn Costello, of Florida; Barbara Bean and her husband, R. Durrell, of Collegeville; Geraldine Newhart and her husband, Jerry, of Benton as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a sister, June Kriebel, on July 23, 1939.

The Kriebel Family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Geisinger Hospice team for their excellent care and support.  

Graveside Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 22nd, 2021 at 1 PM at the Waller Cemetery with Rev. Dr. David A.  Mansfield and Rev. Raymond D. Purdy, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Benton Christian Church, P.  O. Box 264, Benton, PA 17814 or to the Northern Columbia Community and Cultural Center, P. O. Box 305, Benton, PA 17814.  

The McMichael Funeral Home Inc. is honored to serve the Kriebel Family.  

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