Arthur Leslie Ohl

OLATHE, Kan. — Arthur Leslie Ohl, 78, of Spring Hill, KS, formerly of Stover, MO, died Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at the Hospice House, Olathe, KS. He was born on February 26, 1938, in Lightstreet, PA, a son of Lee Franklin Ohl and Grace (Edwards) Ohl.

Art grew up in Buckhorn, PA. He attended Bloomsburg High School, where he played football, was a member of the National Honor Society, and graduated in 1956. He attended Penn State University Mont Alto campus, where he studied forestry and was point guard on the basketball team. After transferring to Bloomsburg State College and graduating in 1960 with a degree in teaching, Art taught high school biology/science and coached football for one year at Montgomery High School in Montgomery, PA.

While attending Gettysburg Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA, he married Ruth Anne Lowe on June 29, 1962, in Muncy, PA. They were blessed with the gift of two children, Steve and Diane.

Art served as an ELCA Lutheran Pastor for 38 years, beginning at St. John's and Hidlay Churches in the Mifflinville, PA area from 1964 until 1990. After chasing his dream of living "out west" by moving to Pueblo, CO, Art later became pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in La Junta, CO, until 1994. Art's last pastoral call brought him to Mora, MO, where he served Trinity Lutheran Church at Pyrmont and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brauersville, MO from 1995 until his retirement in 2002. Art and Ruth Anne moved to Spring Hill, KS, in the spring of 2016 to be closer to family.

Art loved golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid story teller and enjoyed working with the youth in the church.

He is survived by: his wife of 54 years, Ruth Anne Ohl of the home; a son, Steven Ohl and Jackie of Milford, IA; a daughter, Diane Pickett and Bobby of Overland Park, KS; and four grandchildren, Matthew Ohl, Tyler Ohl, David Pickett, and Rachel Pickett.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Grace, a sister, Christine Heeter, and two brothers, Thomas Ohl and Dale Ohl.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cole Camp with Rev. Sandy Schlesselman officiating. Burial will be in Brauersville Lutheran Cemetery, Cole Camp.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 until service time on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to World Hunger Appeal in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Ohl, Tyler Ohl, David Pickett, Larry Lowe, Eldon Zimmerschied, and Jim Lowe. Honorary pallbearer will be Rachel Pickett.