Arnold J. Dietzel

Hesston Dateline:  Arnold J. Dietzel 99, died Friday, July 4, 2014 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas.  He was born August 4, 1914 in Bay Port, Michigan to Samuel Henry and Elma Celeste (Stein) Dietzel.  On July 12, 1946 he married Wilmetta Weaver at Hesston Mennonite Church in Hesston, Kansas and she survives.  He has maintained his membership in the Hesston Mennonite Church for many years and served the church in many capacities including a Sunday school teacher.  Arnold was a 1932 graduate of Pigeon, Michigan High School and a 1941 graduate of Goshen College with a degree in business. He earned his master’s degree in business education from the University of Michigan in 1955.  Arnold attained additional education in Bible and Seminary training at Ontario Mennonite Bible School, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Goshen Bible Seminary.  He served as a conscientious objector during WW II through Civilian Public Service projects.  Following the war he served in the Merchant Marines and made two trips to Europe on Merchant Marine Ships to help war torn Danzig, Poland.  Arnold had long career as a teacher, missionary and travel agent retiring in 1988 after 26 years as manager of Menno Travel in Newton, Kansas.  He started his career as a grade school teacher in Rural Michigan, 2 years teaching college at both Hesston College and Tabor College in Kansas, he served 5 years in India with the Mennonite Board of Missions and 6 years with Mennonite Central Committee and Menno Travel service in Akron, Pennsylvania and Beirut, Lebanon.  Arnold was a long time member of the Newton Rotary Club. He was a resident of North Newton, Kansas for 44 years until his move along with his wife to Schowalter in Hesston, Kansas.  He greatly enjoyed spending time with his loving family and many friends he has made on his life’s journey.

Arnold is survived by his wife Wilmetta of Hesston, KS; son Ronald and his wife Shirley Dietzel of Newton, KS; daughters: Margaret Hillegass of Jerome, PA; and Carol Cranston of Newton, KS; He has 7 grandchildren : Rhonda Sanders, Loren Dietzel, Justin Dietzel, Christina Clement, Beth Hillegass, John Hillegass, and Shonnie Cranson and 7 great grandchildren  and was looking forward to meeting his 8^th great grandchild.

Arnold is also survived by brothers: Reuben Dietzel and his wife Gertrude of Sarasota, FL; Harlan Dietzel and his wife Mildred of North Manchester, IN; sister in law Fran Dietzel of Colorado Springs, CO; and one sister Helen Loewen of Minneapolis, MN

Arnold is preceded in death by his parents; brothers A. Herklas Dietzel and his wife Verna; Loren Dietzel and his wife Mary; Carlton Dietzel; sister Lenora Sempira and her husband E.K. and  brother in law Hubert Loewen.

A celebration of Arnold’s life will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2014 at Hesston Mennonite Church with Pastor John Murray presiding.  Private family interment will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Zimmerdale, Kansas. 

In Lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Mennonite Central Committee in care of Petersen Funeral Home 215 North Main Newton, Kansas 67114