Wilbur Elmer Kehrli

Wilbur Elmer Kehrli, 88, of Manchester, Iowa, passed peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Manchester. Funeral Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with the Pastor Isaiah Armbrecht officiating. Burial will take place at Coffins Grove-Baker Cemetery, Manchester. Wilbur’s family invites everyone to join them for a luncheon at the Delaware County Community Center, Manchester. Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Manchester is in charge of arrangements.

Wilbur Elmer Kehrli was born July 16, 1937, at home in rural Manchester, the son of Elmer and Wilma (Johnston) Kehrli. Wilbur attended country school through fourth grade and graduated from West Delaware High School with the class of 1955.

Wilbur was very active in 4-H, showing and judging livestock, played football, and worked on his parent’s farm. Wilbur lived and raised purebred livestock west of Manchester his entire life with the exception of serving his country in the United States Army Reserves from 1960 through 1965. He served on many local, state, and national livestock association boards, was named Iowa Master Seedstock Producer in 1970, and exhibited countless champion production tested carcass and on hoof animals throughout his career. In his early adult years, he was a Sunday School teacher and served as president of the West Delaware School Board.

Wilbur helped many young people with livestock projects and made friends everywhere he went. Wilbur was united in marriage September 11, 1960, to Charlene Shover, and they remained married through 1973. Wilbur was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Wilbur is survived by two sons, Ken (Kathy) Kehrli of rural Quasqueton, Iowa and Chad (Karen) Kehrli of rural Manchester; eight grandchildren, Kyle (Emily) Kehrli, Kayla (Michael) Gallup, Kendra (Josh) Burchett, Alex (Paige) Kehrli, Emma (Luke Greiner) Kehrli, Keegan Kehrli, Caleb Kehrli, and Keeley Kehrli; twelve great-grandchildren, Kinnley Gallup, Macken Gallup, Opal Kehrli, Kolette Gallup, Flora Kehrli, Maebel Gallup, Ira Burchett, Milo Kehrli, Hank Kehrli, Athens Burchett, Tad Kehrli and Titus Burchett. He is also survived by a brother, Larry Kehrli; two nieces, Deb (Paul) Larson, Marty (Steve) Monagle; a great-niece Anna and great-nephew, Kevin.

Wilbur is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Wilma Kehrli; two infant brothers, Donald and Robert; a sister, Elma (Harold) Schiel and his grandson, Kollin Kehrli.

The family expresses a special thank you to Dr. Christiansen and staff, caregiver Melissa, all the staff at Care Initiatives, Pastor Armbrecht and the wonderful caregivers at the Edgewood Convalescent Home. We cannot express enough gratitude for all the acts of kindness, cards, and visits. It will never be forgotten.