Rev. Hilbert E. Piel, 84, of Arcanum, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton.
He was born October 24,1933 in Cortland, Indiana, the son of the late Rev. Frank and Louisa (Krueger) Piel.
In addition to his parents, Hilbert was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter, Gary, and Theodore Piel; and his sisters, Dorothea Piel, Ruth Mill, and Hildegard Hildebrand.
Hilbert was a 1951 graduate of Waite High School in Toledo. After graduating high school he went to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and then Trinity Lutheran Seminary also in Columbus. After graduating from seminary school he began his more than 50-years of service to the ministry. He served at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunman, Indiana, First English Lutheran Church in Gibsonburg, Ohio, Trinity Lutheran Church in Pitsburg, Ohio, St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Ithaca, Ohio, St. John Lutheran Church in Piqua, Ohio, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Willowdell, Ohio. After retiring, he served as an interim pastor at several churches in the area and helped Mary at the Village Flower Shop in Arcanum. He enjoyed restoring pump organs and old Pontiac cars. Hilbert was a humble servant of God and he always put other people first. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and his family and pets were his world.
Hilbert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary (Droessler) Piel of Arcanum, whom he married June 10, 1955; his son and daughter-in-law, Jim (Beth) Piel of Arcanum; his daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Piel and Jack Kuhn of Arcanum, Debbie (Gene) Niekamp of Versailles and Elizabeth (Perry) Schiller of Tipp City; grandchildren, Jessica Ellen (Nate) Pahl, Joel (Kara) Niekamp, Adam Schiller, Leah Schiller, Alex Niekamp, and Taylor Piel; great grandchildren, Alysson Pahl, Hailey Pahl, and Logan Niekamp; brother, Luther Piel of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; sister, Thelma Fuller of Toledo; numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and Friends may visit on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 2-7 PM at Oliver Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville and one-hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8520 Oakes Road, Pitsburg, Ohio with Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt, Pastor Laura Schreffler, and Pastor Melvin Musser officiating. Burial will follow in Abbottsville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to ELCA Fund for Leaders, PO Box 1806, Merrifield, VA, 22116-8000 or to Darke County Humane Society, 7053 St. Rt. 49, Greenville, Ohio.
Online condolences may be shared with the family a www.oliverfloyd.com
