William "Bill" Kerbel, 73, passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne.

Born in Sheridan, Wyo. on July 2, 1944, he was a son of the late William and Ruth Kerbel Sr. Bill was raised on a 300-acre dairy farm in Wyoming, graduated from and played football for Concordia College in Seward, Neb., and to Fort Wayne where he began his teaching and coaching career at Trinity Lutheran School. Bill continued his career for 37 years in the East Allen County Schools teaching, coaching wrestling and football, and retired as athletic director at New Haven High School.

Bill left his mark on teaching and athletics in EACS; he started the wrestling program at Leo High School, was named the 2000 EACS Teacher of the Year, and will be inducted into the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame in February 2018.

Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Kathy Kerbel of New Haven, Ind.; son, Brian Kerbel of Key West, Fla.; daughter, Lori (Jim) Smasal of Appleton, Wis.; grandchildren, Grant, Tate, Jake, Alec, Michaela; siblings, Jim (Sue) Kerbel of Jenison, Mich. and Phyllis (Jody) Fournier of Fort Myers, Fla.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 7710 E. State Blvd. Memorial calling is from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 at the church. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney, Neb. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church or the Community Foundation New Haven High School Scholarship Fund to assist with the establishment of the Bill Kerbel Scholarship.

Fort Wayne IN newspapers - Aug. 28, 2017.