SEYMOUR, INDIANA
Rabel Fred Newkirk, 100, of Seymour, Indiana passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024. He was born August 14, 1923 in Seymour, Indiana, to Edward Louis and Emma Marie Borgman Newkirk. He was educated at Immanuel Lutheran School and Seymour high school. He served in the U.S. Army 359th infantry for four campaigns in the European theatre of operations during WWII. During this time in the US Army, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals.
Rabel earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois. He taught in the Lutheran School system for 37 years before retiring. After retirement, he was on the braille committee for 15 years at Immanuel making braille books for young children.
Rabel had many joys in his life including cross-country skiing, backpacking, traveling, card playing, gardening and deer hunting. He and his wife, Ruth loved to dance together, especially the waltz and polka.
He married Ruth Ida Pottschmidt of Brownstown, Indiana on July 24, 1955 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Brownstown. Rabel is survived by his loving wife, Ruth of 68 years and two sons, Karl F. (Cathy) Newkirk of Perry, Michigan and Kurt W. (Dawna) Newkirk of Seymour, three grandchildren, Andrea, Emilee (Ian Brandt) and Jacob (Taylor) Newkirk and one great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Rae. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Marguerite Nolting and Katherine Noelker and Ella May Ulrich.
Friends may visit with Rabel’s family from 9:30 am until service time at 11 am Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 605 S. Walnut Street, Seymour, Indiana 47274 with Rev. Dr. Ralph Blomenberg and Rev. James Rodriguez, Jr. officiating. Concluding services with military honors will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burkholder Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes, 419 N. Chestnut Street, Seymour, IN. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran High School or Immanuel Lutheran School. Please share memories and condolences at www.burkholderfuneralchapel.com.