Lewis Wesley Krehel, age 76, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and loved friend, passed away on December 10, 2020, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born on December 3, 1944, in Cleveland, OH, to the late John and Adele (nee Lucas) Krehel.
He was a dedicated Byzantine catholic, lover of animals, voracious reader, advocate for little children, and spoiled his children with trips and adventures. He studied many languages, taught Sunday school, made trips to our schools for show and tell. Planner of fantastic birthday parties especially for year number one, not to mention dog birthday parties including dogs wearing party hats.
He collected a huge seashell and natural artifact collection and traded shells with contacts in the Philippines in the 70s. He also served in the Cleveland Shell Club as the president during its existence. He loved hiking, studied animals, and was fluent in the Latin names, genus, species, etc. Locomotive trains ran deep in his blood and our families, a train was in all our trips. His job with RTA was born of his love of trains and he joked he drove a train before even being a licensed driver.
Teacher to us during school strikes, we learned some Russian and had to memorize the prehistoric eras! He was educator on bill paying and budgeting. He was very neat, orderly, timely and regimented, he could tell if you even touched his pencils that all faced in a certain direction in his desk organizer. Lover of all things home baked and ice cream. Quiet listener to personal problems with Godly advice. He served a short stint in the Air Force as well as the Catholic seminary.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Linda; children, Louise (Mike) Bear, Connie (Rob) Krehel; Nick (Kay) Krehel; grandchildren, Nicky, Cheyenne, Justin, Aaron, Mikey, Jesse, Cory and Hailey; great-grandchildren, Paige, Bella, Gracie and Robbie; former daughter-in-law, Jessica Krehel, mother to Nicky and Justin; and siblings, Janice (Stan) Mishin and John (Jane) Krehel.
A Mass will be held for Lewis on Monday, December 14, 2020, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Byzantine Catholic Church, 5390 W. 220th Street, Fairview Park, OH. There will be a visitation one hour prior to Mass from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Byzantine Catholic Church (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). Interment will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Medina, OH.
Out of respect for one another, masks are required and social distancing observed.
Memorial donations may be made in Lewis's name to EWTN and/or St. Mary Magdalene Byzantine Catholic Church in Fairview Park, OH.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 3477 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256.