John F Dreibelbis

John F. Dreibelbis, 100, a resident of the Buehrle Center, on the campus of The Lutheran Home at Topton, and formerly of Kutztown, died Wednesday, February 10, 2016 in his residence. He was the widower of Perma B. (Dietrich) Dreibelbis, who died March 27, 2015.

Born in Maxatawny Township, he was a son of the late George L. and Ella Nora (Bieber) Dreibelbis. Mr. Dreibelbis was a devoted member of Saint John's Lutheran Church, Kutztown, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member for 70 years, as well as on many other committees throughout the years. John honorably and faithfully served his country, in the Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946, as a corporal assigned to Technical Training Command as an instructor in radio mechanics, stationed in Madison, Wisconsin, during World War II.

John is a 1934 graduate of Kutztown High School and Kutztown State Teachers College, now Kutztown University, where he received a Bachelor's of Art degree in Art Education in 1938.  He received his Master's of Arts degree in Education from Columbia University, New York City, NY in 1954.  Mr. Dreibelbis pursued graduate studies in weaving and silver smithing at Temple University's Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia. He also studied at Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC and at Arrowmont School of Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.

John demonstrated weaving at the Kutztown Folk Festival for 40 years and more recently at the Kutztown University Haemet Fescht. John was awarded second prize in the 1968 sterling silver design competition sponsored by the Sterling Silver Smiths Guild of America. John's winning teapot was shown throughout the United States, along with other winning designs.  Mr. Dreibelbis received third prize at the fourth annual hand weavers juried show.  He served as a judge for a number of fairs, conducted workshops on spinning and weaving for various groups, including the Great Valley Girl Scout Council.  Numerous commissioned pieces of his work are in private collections.

Mr. Dreibelbis was a teacher for 42½ years, serving in Montgomery County for three years, Kutztown Area Schools for 23 years and Kutztown University for 16 years, until his retirement in 1980. Mr. Dreibelbis served on the Advisory Board of the former Kutztown Building and Loan, now Santander Bank, from 1957 to 1990.  John also served as president of the East Penn Association of School Retirees from 1991 to 1995, and is also a member of Kutztown Fire Company

He is survived by Nephews and Nieces, Dr. Malcolm H., husband of Phyllis G. Dietrich, York, Dr. Leonard M., husband of Linda W. Dietrich, Kutztown, Dr. Marcia Dietrich, Douglassville, Lucy J., widow of J. Ernest Miller, Kutztown, Douglas, husband of Christine Dietrich, Wernersville, Susan (Dietrich), wife of Russell Teti, Allentown, Rosemary, wife of Larry Albright, II, Leesport; and several great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his Parents; Wife, Perma; Sister, Marion (Dreibelbis) Oswald; Brothers, George and Isaac Dreibelbis; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM in Saint John's Lutheran Church, 201 East Main Street, Kutztown, with Reverend Mary Ann Hamm officiating. Interment will follow in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. Relatives and friends may call Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 AM in the church.

The family requests contributions be made in John's memory to Saint John's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 201 E. Main Street, Kutztown, PA  19530. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.