Robert Brechbill

Robert (Bob) Brechbill, 100, of Independence died on Friday, February 8, 2019 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Zion Lutheran Church at 11:00am. Visitation will be held Friday, February 15th, with family greeting friends 5:00pm-7:00pm at Potts Chapel. Book signing will be available 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday also at Potts Chapel. Burial will be in the family plot of the Dillsburg Cemetery in Dillsburg, PA, on Wednesday, February 20th at 11:00am.
Robert Keith Brechbill was born August 17, 1918, on the family farm in DeKalb County, Indiana, the second of seven children born to Albert and Cora (Miller) Brechbill. The family moved to Grantham, Pennsylvania in 1924. Robert received his elementary education in a one- room schoolhouse in York County, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation from Messiah College Academy Division he took some classes at Pennsylvania State University in animal husbandry. His work history included a few years at Hershey Creamery in Harrisburg, PA. While working there, Robert met his future wife, Violet Davis. Following his military service in the United States Army during World War II, he married Violet Davis on June 16, 1946 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dillsburg, PA. He began a forty year career in various administrative and office management positions with Sinclair and ARCO Pipe Line Company, first in Mechanicsburg, PA, then at Marion, OH, and the final thirty-one years in the home office at Independence, KS. He retired as Manager of Administrative Services from ARCO Pipe Line Company in 1984.
Mr. Brechbill was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church for 65 years. He served multiple terms on the board of elders and the Board of Education for Zion Lutheran School, sang in the Chancel Choir for fifty years, taught Sunday School classes, was an active member of the Lutheran Layman's League with offices at the state level, served as chairman of the building committee for a major elevator addition to the church, and was a charter member of Southeast Kansas Lutherans serving on the board for fifty years. He had been involved in the Community Concert Association, and was a former member of the Independence Lions Club.
Survivors include his three daughters; Colleen Confer and husband Keith, Carla Brechbill of Independence, and Carin Bardwell and husband Robert of Albuquerque, New Mexico, two grandchildren, Christopher Confer and Carleen Shirk, and four great grandchildren, Hayden and Brooklyn Shirk and Natalie and Caitlin Confer. He is also survived by one sister, Frances Ulery, of Orlando, FL.
Mr. Brechbill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Violet of sixty-nine years, two brothers, Rev. Earl Brechbill and Dr. Joseph Brechbill and three sisters, Anita Brechbill, Ruth Lehman, and Esther Pearce.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Zion Lutheran Church. Contributions may be made through Potts Funeral Home.

Visitation

Potts Chapel
122 South Penn Ave.
Independence, KS  67301
Friday, February 15, 2019
9-7pm, family 5-7pm

Service

Zion Lutheran Church
219 South 10th
Independence, KS  67301
Saturday, February 16, 2019
11:00am

Cemetery

Dillsburg Cemetery
Dillsburg, PA

Memorial Contributions

Zion Lutheran Church
219 South 10th
Independence, KS  67301