William (Bill) Kehler

WILLIAM (BILL) B. KEHLER

Mr William (Bill) Kehler, son of the late Reverend Peter S.T. and Katharina Kehler, was the seventh child of twelve, born July 9, 1933 in Blumengard, MB, where they resided in the back of the family store.

He received his education in the Twin Creek School and helped his father run the farm until his marriage.

He was baptized upon his faith in the Randolph CMC in 1954.

Dad was united in holy matrimony on Oct. 17, 1954 to the love of his life, Katharina (Tina) Peters. Mom and Dad enjoyed 64 wonderful years together, farming a 10-acre property in East Steinbach while Dad worked for Penner Transfer. In May 1956, he started delivering milk to Steinbach residents in a horse-drawn van for Steinbach Creamery. In 1960, they purchased an 80-acre dairy farm in the Ekron-Oswald area where they raised five daughters and two sons, during which time Dad worked seasonally for Manitoba Hydro. Dad was also employed by Hanover School Division as a bus driver from 1965-1993, a profession he truly enjoyed. They moved from the farm in 1990 and resided in Steinbach until his passing at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

Dad enjoyed people. He relished his time in the coffee shop with his friends discussing the topics of the day and memories of the past. He formed many lasting relationships with the students he transported from home to school and home again for more than 28 years.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Tina, Feb. 15, 2019, his parents Peter S.T. and Katharina Kehler and his grandson Tyler Dyck. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Andy Kehler, Mary Isaac, Henry Kehler, Peter Kehler, Eva Schellenberg and Jacob Kehler in infancy.

Dad is lovingly remembered by his seven children, Myrna and Ray Friesen, Dianne and Jake Dyck, Andy and Paula Kehler, Barb and Ken Dyck, Lorna and Gord Kehler, Edna and Sjoerd Huese, and Richard Kehler; 15 grandchildren, Jackie (Randy), Cara (Ken), Barry (Jodie), Andrea, Leia (Mike), Robby (Tracey), A.J. (Andra), Kassie (Nathan), Sydney (Patrick), Mikhail, Anastasia (Brad), Victoria, Ilse (Evan), Nicholas, and Eric; and 10 great-grandchildren, Porter, Teresa, Hudson, Frances, Ramsey, Margaret, Piper, Harper, Georgia and Oliver. Also left to cherish his memory are his siblings and in-laws, Helen Unger, Nettie Peters, Jake and Anne Doerksen, Bill and Tina Bergen, Ed and Frieda Neufeld, Sara Isaac, Mathilda Kehler, Helen Kehler, Aaron and Agatha Friesen and Anne Funk.

Viewing was held on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 at 7 p.m. with devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

The funeral was held Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Steinbach CMC, 479 Hanover St, Steinbach, MB, with viewing prior to the service. Interment took place at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

Due to severe allergies, the family has requested this be a scent free event.

Should friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to The Arthritis Society – www.arthritis.ca/donate or Cancer Care – Bethesda Foundation.

The family would like to thank Dr Janz and the staff at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre for the excellent care they provided to our dad. We would also like to give special thanks to Uncle Aaron Friesen and Mr Jake Friesen for so generously offering assistance and care enabling Dad to remain at home.

-The Kehler Family