Sheridan native Larry Dean Harbel, 63, died Aug. 21, 2008, at his home near Upper Marlboro, Md., his family announced.

Services were Thursday in Upper Marlboro.

Born July 30, 1945, in Sheridan to Charles and Helen Harbel, he grew up on a dairy farm and cattle ranch in Sheridan County. He attended Sheridan High School, Sheridan College, Northwestern University, and the University of Michigan and earned his bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University. He received his Master of Business Administration degree in finance from George Washington University.

Mr. Harbel worked for the O’Hare Inn, Inner City Baptist Church, Eastern Association of Christian Schools, A.B. Dick, and Bray and Scarff before going into private practice.

He also ministered at Pacific Garden Mission and helped start a nursing home ministry in Chicago. He was actively involved at every church he attended and served on deacon and trustee boards.

He also taught Sunday school and was an AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) evangelism youth leader for more than 25 years.

For several years, he ministered at Boy’s Village in Cheltenham, Md. Most recently, he was involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Washington, D.C., and Youth Services Inc. and was a committed supporter of Gospelink Inc., with which he was able to build a seminary in Zambia.

He served as president of the Anne Arundel Chapter of the American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants and was the most recent president of the Maryland AICPA chapter.

He is survived by his wife, Twyla; three children, Melody Dillon of Crofton, Md., Holly Harvey of Clarksville, Tenn., and Brian Harbel of Owings Mills, Md.; his mother of Sheridan; a brother, Jerry Harbel of Petersburg, Va.; a sister Judi Adams of Ridgway, Colo.; and seven grandchildren.

Memorials may benefit Gospelink, 220 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.

The Sheridan Press - August 30, 2008.