L. Kibler

Luther Earl Kibler, 96, of Boiling Springs, SC, died Thursday, October 17, 2013, at White Oak Estates-Spartanburg, SC. Born January 7, 1917, in Newberry, SC, he was the son of the late William Luther and Mary Lavinia Ruff Kibler. Prior to World War II, Earl was a strong baseball fan participating in textile league baseball in Newberry and Union Counties. He developed a lifetime love of baseball especially following University of South Carolina and Atlanta Braves teams. Pearl Harbor and the onset of WWII changed everything. Two days after Pearl Harbor, on December 9, 1941, Earl married Vermelle, the beginning of a 71 year marriage. Soon he was accepted into the Army Air Corps (precursor to the US Air Force) and received Air Corps Technology Training for P-40 fighter planes and Rolls Royce engines, at Cambridge, England. He was proud to have served his country for 42 months and enjoyed sharing stories of that adventure at many family gatherings over the years. As a child of the depression and participant in the European theater of WWII, he developed a strong work ethic and was an exemplary member of "The Greatest Generation". Earl worked many years as District Manager of Greenville News, covering much territory of upstate SC and into NC. Being a life-long Lutheran, he was an active member of several Lutheran churches and served for many years as Treasurer of Atonement Lutheran Church, Laurens, SC. He enjoyed being outside and maintained a productive garden well into his 90's. He will be deeply missed and remembered for his commitment to God, country, family, and friends, for his optimistic outlook, funny stories, witty comments to hospital staff, and his true love of life. Earl's family extends deep appreciation for the excellent medical care given over the years by Cardiology Consultants and Spartanburg Medical Group, and for the love and support given to Earl and Vermelle by pastors, members of St. John's, and their dear Boiling Springs neighbors. Survivors include his cherished wife of 71 years, Vermelle Wilson Kibler; son, Larry E. Kibler, MD (Dale) of Spartanburg, SC; granddaughter, Kristen Kibler Moldenhauer (Max) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; grandson, W. Scott Kibler, DMD (Katie) of Charleston, SC; great-grandson, Owen L. Moldenhauer of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and the anticipated birth of his great-granddaughter, Baby Girl Kibler of Charleston, SC. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by seven sisters and one brother, all of Newberry. Visitation will be 12:00-1:00 PM Sunday, October 20, 2013, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 PM, at the Chapel, conducted by Pastor Michael Shackelford. A graveside service will also be conducted at 4:00 PM Sunday in St. Phillips Lutheran Church Cemetery, 2461 St. Phillips Church Rd., Newberry, SC 29108, by Pastor Terry Amick. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 415 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or St. Phillips Lutheran Church, 2461 St. Phillips Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108. The family is at their respective homes. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of L. Earl Kibler please visit our Sympathy Store.