Robert L. Krider

Robert Leon Krider, 87 of Huntington left to greet the Lord at 4:45 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at his residence. His physical birth was in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 13, 1931, the son of Leonard and Irene (Rittenhouse) Krider. His father was a tree surgeon for Davey Tree Company and died at the early age of 36 when Robert was nine years old. They lived in Huntington where his father moved to care for the family farm after the death of his grandfather.

After graduation from Huntington High School, he was employed by the Erie Railroad as a coal fireman. After the death of his two best friends, killed in the Korean War, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy Seabees and served from 1951-1954 making the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer. In 1949 he met his best friend, Carolyn Bonebrake at a drive inn restaurant in Huntington called Johnny’s, and they were married April 14, 1951 in Oxnard, California, just before Robert shipped out to Okinawa for a year. Robert was stationed in Okinawa, Korea, Japan and Iceland (the only Seabee on the island) during his four years in service. Upon his discharge from the military, he returned to work on the Erie Railroad in Huntington and their lives were blessed with three sons; David Lee, 1952, Lonny Lynn, 1953 and John Clinton, 1957. The last five of the seventeen years that he was working on the railroad he also worked for a water chemical company, Mitco, Inc. out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, working in northwest Ohio. He often said he knew little about chemicals but he would listen to the men in charge about their life concerns and they would end up buying chemicals. He recognized then his ability in listening; if he listened to people’s needs, maybe they would listen about Jesus.

After coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in 1960, through Pastor Richard Gantz of Majenica bringing the gospel into their home following the death of his sister, Phyllis, he responded to the call of God upon his life and his spiritual life began; his question being, Lord, what would you have me do? God gave him his answer in Acts 9:6 “Arise, Get up and Go”. He left both employers and enrolled in Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, New York to study the Bible. His second year in college, during a missions conference, the Lord gave him further direction through Jonah 3:2 “Arise, Go, Preach”. In 1971, he transferred to Western Baptist Bible College in Salem, Oregon and graduated summa cum lau-de with a Bachelors in Science degree in pastoral theology.

The Krider’s lost their second son, Lonny, who was a first year student at Western Baptist Bible College due to a vehicle accident involving both of their older sons. At the same time he was called to pastorate in Liverpool, New York, where he ministered for twelve years. Robert pastored three churches in a thirty year period. He retired in 1996 after losing his hearing from a stroke, at which time he knew God had released him from the pastorate and they moved west to Thermopolis, Wyoming. His daily response and favorite phrase being, “I can’t believe we live in Wyoming” which was a lifelong dream of his. He and his wife worked the seasonal months for ten years at Wyoming State Parks and Historical Sites interacting with people about the real issues of life; he also taught in a new work called Red Bluffs Bible Church.

Mr. Krider was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Phyllis, age 27 and by his son, Lonny Lynn age 18. He is survived by his wife, the love of his life for the last 67 years and remaining relatives which includes two sons, David Lee (Pricilla) Krider of Sebring, FL and John Clinton (Claudia) Krider of Huntington, five grandchildren, Michelle Lynn Krider Osuch, Dawn Marie Krider (Josh) Phillipson, Robert David (Sandra) Krider, Ashley Elise Krider, Aaron John Krider and three great grandchildren, twins, Evelyn Elaine and Hudson Jack Phillipson and Nari-Song Krider.

Also surviving is a Wyoming granddaughter, Stevie Ann Jellis, who when she was eight years old, following a home decorating party at the Krider’s home, inquired of her mother, “Could she (Carolyn) be my grandma?” Her mother’s response, “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask her.” Stevie immediately asked, “Would you be my grandma?” Carolyn answered, “sure I’ll be your grandma” wondering if she would remember this question come morning? Stevie never forgot this commitment. Today she is a twenty year old college student studying business at Northwest Community College District in Sheridan, Wyoming. Truly, God’s treasured gift of a grandchild to Bob and Carolyn out of Wyoming and Fred St. John, Albion, Pennsylvania.

Visitation will take place on Monday, February 18, 2018 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at The Chapel, 2505 W. Hamilton Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana to honor the life and ministry of Robert Leon Krider for his Savior, Jesus Christ. A memorial service will be held following at 2:00 pm.

Burial and crypt side services will take place at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Marion, Indiana on Monday, February 18, 2019 at the Krider family plot in the Garden of Gethsemane for the family and interested friends. Ronald (Barbara) Collinson, a funeral director and former members of the Liverpool Baptist Church, presently living in St. Cloud, FL and Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel will be assisting the family with the necessary arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made out to The Chapel, 2505 W. Hamilton Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814 in support of their many ministries.