Arnold Eblen

Arnold Eblen, 83, of Creston died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. A private family Celebration of Life graveside service will be Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, at Graceland Cemetery Chapel in Creston. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Pastor Mary O’Riley will officiate. Family requests masks are required and social distancing will be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Creston Area Food Pantry. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.

Arnold Dean Eblen, son of Roland Lewis Eblen and Thelma Leola (Boehme) Eblen, was born Feb. 20, 1937, in Lineman. He graduated from Cromwell High School in 1955. He was in the U.S. National Guard in the engineering department.

On Dec. 4, 1960, Arnold married Nellie Marie (Miller) at Jerusalem Methodist Church near Creston. They first lived north of Creston before moving to a farm northwest of Creston. They settled on their current farm location in 1975. Arnold farmed throughout his life , raising cattle until diagnosed with transverse myelitis in 2001. Despite his paralysis, he continued to farm with a brilliantly acute business mind until his passing.

Arnold with three other family members started the corporation of Eblen Construction. He later retired from construction in 1980, and began doing custom tiling and independent work. Together, Arnold and Nellie raised four children and later three grandchildren, after the death of their son Greg in June 2000. Arnold was a member of the Cromwell Church Disciples of Christ, was a leader for the Douglas Boosters 4-H Club and he and Nellie used to square dance regularly at Richland School.

Survivors include his two sons, Todd (wife Torey) Eblen of Flower Mound, Texas, Mark (Peg) Eblen of Creston; daughter, Janelle (Travis) Kerkove of rural Solon; three grandchildren that he raised, Austin (Chelsey) Eblen of rural Creston, Ashley Eblen of rural Creston, Morgan Eblen of rural Creston; eight grandchildren: Mackenzie and Whitney Eblen, Meghin (Cody) Pearson, Luke (Chelsea) Eblen and Levi (Michelle) Eblen, Brianna, Madison and Tanner Kerkove; three great-grandchildren: Alayna, Verra and Jayda Pearson; brothers, Ronnie (Bonnie) Eblen and Donnie (Carolyn) Eblen, both of Creston; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Those who have gone before him are his parents; his wife Nellie Eblen in 2014; his son Greg Eblen in 2000; his brother Jerry Eblen; mother-in-law Gladys Huss and her husband, Forrest Huss; brothers-in-law Wayne and Gary Miller; sisters-in-law Ruth and Kathy Miller.