Samuel “Sam” Leonard Kriegel, age 92 of Kirksville, passed away Saturday Jan 28, 2023.

Born January 22, 1931 in Ridgeway Pennsylvania to Leonard and Margaret Kriegel. One of six children to grow up in rural Pennsylvania during the great depression.

Sam lived a full life and was a firm believer in our lord Jesus Christ. Sam served 21 years in the United States Air Force, where he served in two wars, Korea and Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart medal in the latter. He crossed the International Date Line returning from Korea 12-24-1951. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Sam spent twenty-seven years repairing copy machines for 3M, then moving on to driving school buses for another seventeen. He liked to work. He was a seasoned story teller as all who knew him can attest. Friendly, funny, and jokester were all characteristics used to describe him.

Upon returning from Korea, he was stationed at Kirksville Air Force Station/Air Defense Command in Sublette, Mo. While working at the station, he met and married Rhonda Lee Gibbons on July 6 1952, and to this union five children were born.

Sam was a family man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, fixing cars, motorcycles, guns, and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rhonda, one brother, three sisters, and three great grandchildren Dakota, Archer and Ransom Corrick.

He is survived by one sister Carol (Calvin) Grabowski, children: Randy (Melanie) Kriegel, Bill (Sally) Kriegel, Terri (Mike) Corrick, Kim Kriegel, and Mike Kriegel (Tammy Martens), grandchildren: Shawn (Elgien) Jones, Clint Jones, Katie (Joe) Fraler, Ryan Kriegel, Dalton (Ariel) Kriegel, Cameron Kriegel, Jessica Corrick, and Lucas (Molly) Corrick, and 7 great grandchildren.

Sam has been cremated and a memorial service with military honors to honor his life will take place 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Harold Engle officiating. Family will receive friends one hour before service time in the chapel.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Sam may be made to Oats Transportation or to the Shriner's Children's Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.