William Kelley Kibler

Bill was born in Ravenna, OH on March 8, 1937. He was the son of Norman and Deary (Kelley) Kibler of Rootstown, OH.

He grew up on the family farm and soon learned how to drive Farmall tractors. Bill developed a love for farming and for the IH Farmall tractor brand throughout his entire adult life. His uncles owned Kibler Farm Equipment in Atwater in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1960s and 1970s you could find him at local tractor pulls on his beloved Farmall 460.

Bill attended Rootstown school and was a 1955 graduate of Rootstown High School. He was employed with Darwal, Inc.

On July 2, 1960, he married Donna Mae Ebie of Brimfield. Shortly after, he was drafted into the US Army and served a year in South Korea as a radar specialist. Following his army service, Bill became employed with Kent State University as a computer operator and programmer helping develop computerized student registration. Later, he became a rural mail carrier for the Rootstown Post Office for 25 years.

Bill and wife Donna moved to Edinburg in 1963 and established the Kibler Family Farm.

Farming was his first love and he remained in the farming business his entire life. He farmed alongside his two sons raising Hereford cattle and planting many acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat each year.

Bill served as president of Portage County Farm Bureau for many years. He was a state trustee for Farm Bureau, served on the Soil and Water Board for 20 years and was an FSA committeeman.

He was a 50-year member of Edinburg United Church where he was a choir member with a special bass voice. Serving his Edinburg community, he was a township trustee for 16 years.

Survivors include his wife Donna of 65 years, sons Douglas (Marcia) and Kevin (Holly) and daughters Michelle (Scott) Besaw and Lisa (Kirk) Lange, grandchildren Stephanie Gilcrest, Ryan (Breanna) Kibler, Kelley (Gage) Lange, Megan (Sam) Podojil, Alex (Erin) Lange, Kyle Kibler, Sarah Kibler, and Seth Besaw, great-grandchildren Zoey, Kinslee, Bowen, Emma, Rhett, Amelia, and Case, and sister Dorothy (Bob) Hurd.

Bill was preceded in death by grandson Daniel Kibler (February 1, 2023), his parents and siblings Marjorie Morter and Richard Kibler.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, February 9 at Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, from 5:00-7:00pm. The funeral service will be held at Edinburg United Church on Tuesday, February 10 at 11:00am. Burial will be at Edinburg Cemetery.

Special thanks to the Affinity Hospice team and Nurse Molly for their dedication and compassion during this difficult time. Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com