Eric D. Kriebel
August 8, 1957– April 5, 2013
Eric Dean Kriebel of Anderson died unexpectedly of natural causes on April 5, 2013. Family and close friends will miss his fun-loving nature, teasing and contagious laughter.
Eric was a successful wrestler and wrestling coach. Wrestling for Eric began at a young age because of his older brother Jim’s love of the sport. Eric’s dedication to the sport, discipline and hard work resulted in great success including numerous championships at regional freestyle wrestling tournaments; Indiana high school state finals qualifier; National Junior Olympic Freestyle gold medalist (1975); AAU Outstanding Wrestler of the Year recipient (1976); and inductee into the Indiana Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (2002). He graduated from Mooresville High School in 1977 and continued with a wrestling scholarship to Indiana State University. He was the assistant coach at Anderson High School (8 years), Delta High School (1 year) and most recently, Pendleton Heights High School (20 years). Through wrestling, Eric made a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of young wrestlers in Madison County. The wrestlers and their families with whom Eric shared his time are too numerous to mention.
Eric was a self-employed flooring and carpet installer. Many homes and businesses in Madison County and beyond have benefited from his craftsmanship and strong work ethic.
Eric was dedicated to and loved his family—daughter Nicole E. (Steve) Greene and very special granddaughter, Isabella of Elkhart, daughter Danielle E. Kriebel of Anderson; parents Rev. J. Alvin and Gloria (Switzer) Kriebel of Anderson; a brother James E. (Denise) Kriebel of Anderson; two sisters Penny L. Kriebel and Linda J. Kriebel of Denver CO; three nephews James W., Matthew E., and David A. (Megan) Kriebel. Special friends Coach Randy Qualitza, Coach David Cloud and Katie Downing became extended family through wrestling.
Visitation will be at Madison Park Church of God (Anderson, IN) on Thursday, April 11 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service, officiated by Pastor Mike Schwartz, will be at Madison Park Church of God on Friday, April 12 at 1:00 p.m. A wrestling scholarship is being established in honor of Coach Kriebel at Pendleton Heights High School; checks may be made payable to the Arabian Wrestling Club, Coach Kriebel Scholarship.