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Submitted: 3/31/16 • Approved: 3/31/16 • Last Updated: 3/28/18 • R789739-G789739-S3
May 10, 1915 - June 19, 1996
Mary Mildred (Gelbach) Orwiler, 81, of Kirksville, Missouri and formerly of Knox County, died Wednesday, June 19, 1996 in the Kirksville Manor Care Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
Mrs. Orwiler was born May 10, 1915 at Hurdland, Missouri, the daughter of Floyd B. and Carrie Humphrey Gelbach.
She attended Hurdland Public School, graduating in 1932. She then attended Kirksville State Teachers College (KSTC) receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1936. She enrolled in Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) and graduated in 1940 with her D.O. degree, following which she entered into an internship, choosing obstetrics as her specialty.
In 1945 Dr. Gelbach opened her office for private practice and began a 30-year career in Obstetrics and General Medicine.
On February 13, 1948 she married Lester M. Orwiler, a well known businessman in the community, who preceded her in death on February 8, 1975.
Dr. Gelbach enjoyed a long standing reputation for ethical and caring treatment of her patients. It is estimated at the height of her career she averaged 350 deliveries per year, with an overall total of 8,000 babies delivered.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kirksville, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Alumni Chapter of both KCOM and NMSU. For many years she was active in the Kirksville Chapter of Commerce and Historical Society, where she contributed to the historical displays.
Mrs. Orwiler is survived by her sisters, Helen Gelbach Campbell of Kirksville, Missouri and Virginia Gelbach Brooks of Louisville, Kentucky; her adopted daughters, Geraldine Orwiler Bowles-Hobbs of Spokane, Washington, and Beverly Orwiler Perraud of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; her niece, Maridonna Shahan Knorr, Boca Raton, Florida; nephews, Larry Gelbach, Canton, Missouri and Anthony Brooks, Louisville, Kentucky; and a stepson, Bob Orwiler, Tacoma, Washington. Other survivors include grandchildren, grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother, Russell Gelbach and a nephew, Stanley Gelbach.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 22, 1996 in the Hudson-Rimer Park View Chapel in Kirksville, Missouri with the Reverend Dr. Gary W. Metcalf officiating.
Casketbearers were John L. Bryant, Harold Sevits, Ben Beard, Brad Beard, Dr. Jack Auxter and Larry Sykes.
Burial was in the Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri.
Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Parents:
Floyd Buhl Gelbach (1880 - 1962)
Carrie Jeanetta Humphrey Gelbach (1884 - 1961)
Spouse:
Lester M. Orwiler (1904 - 1975)
Sibling:
Russell Humphrey Gelbach (1906 - 1988)
Mary Mildred Gelbach Orwiler (1915 - 1996)
Photo contributed by Larry and Susan Olson lolson60@cableone.net
Contributed on 3/31/16 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 789739