The Rev. Murray Wayne Krabill, 93, went to his heavenly home Friday, July 15, 2016 from Lexington Court Care Center only 12 days after his dear wife Alta passed away on July 3.
Although their separation was brief, the celebration was grand in the Lord’s presence this morning for Murray and Alta, together in glory.
Murray was born May 10, 1923 in Wayland, Iowa, the third son of Elmer David and Mary Ann Roth Krabill. After he graduated from Wayland High School with the class of 1941, he earned his teacher’s certificate from Iowa Wesleyan College and taught in the Flowers School, the same one-room school he had attended as a child.
He earned his B.A. in Bible in 1950 from Goshen College and his ThB in 1951. It was there at Goshen that he met a Colorado girl, Alta Snyder, whom he asked to be his wife and the two were married Aug. 21, 1949.
In 1951 they moved to Fredericktown to accept a church planting assignment through Mennonite Church USA. Murray was the self-supported pastor of Gilead Mennonite Church for 40 years. In the 1950s he taught seven years of seventh grade in Johnsville School.
In 1961 Alta and Murray moved the family into the house they lived in, farmed, neighbored, and loved. Starting with only seven cows, their dairy business grew — at its height they milked 75 cows and farmed about 1,000 acres. Though he spent decades in Ohio, Murray never lost his love of Iowa.
Murray will be remembered as a hardworking Christ-follower who invested in others. He leaves a legacy of Christian faith actively pastoring not only a church family, but also his growing family, and his fellow man.
He is survived by children (& spouses): Dr. Ruby Payne (Tee Bowman), of Corpus Christi, Texas, Chet (Grace) Krabill, of Mount Gilead, Sharon (Stan) Swarzendruber, of Hesston, Kansas, John (Debra) Krabill, of Fredericktown, Wesley (Susie) Krabill, of West Liberty, Ohio, and Ruth (Scott) Weirch, of Denver, Colorado; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
In addition to his parents, and loving wife Alta, Murray was preceded in death by his brothers Russell and Maurice Krabill.
Murray’s family would like to acknowledge the superb level of care he received from the caregivers of Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, and the loving care of Vickie Reese.
The Krabill family will receive friends, Sunday, July 17, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Gilead Mennonite Church (7090 County Road 121, Mt. Gilead), where a funeral service giving glory to God for Murray’s life and ministry will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 18. Pastor Matt Roggio will officiate and burial will follow in Shauck Cemetery.
The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is serving his family.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Mennonite Central Committee and brought to his services or made online at MCC.org
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Murray’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence to them at http://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituary/rev-murray-wayne-krabill/
