Herbert Ernst Kibellus

He was the son of Johann M. and Amanda F. Kibellus (Garber), and was born Sep 15th, 1923 in the town of Russ, East Prussia, Germany. He grew up in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia) and had many tales of his idyllic childhood on the Baltic Sea coast. In World War II, he enlisted in the German navy, but was transferred to infantry duty on the Russian front. There he was wounded multiple times and continually returned to the front where the German forces first advanced and then fought the long westward retreat through Russia and Poland. His father and his brother, Horst, an aviator, also fought on the eastern front and died there. In the closing days of the war, Herbert was evacuated by sea to west Germany after being wounded in the battle for his home town, which Russian forces had encircled.

He met his wife, Lieselotte, after the war while convalescing and working as a driver for the British Control Commission where she also worked as a translator. Herbert and Lieselotte (who died in 2006), immigrated to the United States in 1952. They became proud U.S. citizens and parents, inspiring their children to serve the nation in industry, teaching and military service.

Mr. Kibellus worked many jobs and eventually became a quality control inspector for the Kunkle Valve Company where he worked for over 20 years. After retirement, he managed his properties and assisted his wife in the operation of the Franke Park Day Care Center until she retired and closed the business in 1999.

Mr. Kibellus is survived by his sons Clifford (Pamela) of Exeland, Wisconsin, Carlton (Vickie) of Huntington, Indiana, and his daughter Annette Brannan who cared for him in their Fort Wayne home. He has one granddaughter, Kathryn (George) Reed of Indianapolis, and eight grandsons Tyler (Kristine) Brannan of Fort Wayne, Christopher Kibellus of Exeland, WI., Thomas Kibellus, James Kibellus and Michael Kibellus of Markle, IN; Peter Kibellus and Joseph Kibellus of Huntington, IN and Andrew (Shelby) Kibellus of Fairfield, CA, and four great grandchildren Aiden Tschebykin, Evalina Brannan, Frances Brannan of Fort Wayne, and James Reed of Indianapolis.

Visitation will be at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 Wells St. in Fort Wayne on Sunday, January 20th from 4-6 pm. Funeral service is at Trinity Evg. Lutheran Church 1636 St. Marys Avenue, Fort Wayne on Monday January 21st at 11 am with visitation one hour prior. A graveside dedication will follow at Lindenwood Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.