Annabelle Zehring Kretschmer's Obituary
ZEHRING-KRETSCHMER, Annabelle, age 93, of Xenia and formerly of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Brookdale Beavercreek. She was born in Stanford, Kentucky on September 14, 1930, to Silas and Mary (Evans) Blackaby. She married Richard Allen Zehring in 1950 with whom she had five sons. A few years after Richard's death in 1995, She married Arthur Kretschmer.
A faithful Christian all her life, Annabelle was a member of the Spring Valley Church of Christ.
Annabelle grew up with five brothers and five sisters, which enabled a feisty personality in order to keep up with all of them. She was also independent, caring, hardworking, generous and giving. After her sons all started school, she greatly enjoyed oil, acrylic and pastel painting, mostly as a hobby but often for paying customers as well. Enjoying sewing, she often made clothes for herself and for her five sons. Throughout her life she enjoyed knitting and crocheting and would often generously give her artwork to friends and family. While the children were growing up, Annabelle and Richard enjoyed traveling with their sons on memorable trips to popular destinations including the Ozark Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon and southern California. During her marriage to Art she traveled extensively, particularly when a deal for a cruise would come up. They enjoyed many cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and even throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Zehring, in 1995; her second husband, Arthur Kretschmer; one son, David Zehring; her parents, Silas and Mary Blackaby; four brothers, Harold, James, Bill, and Virgil Blackaby; and four sisters, Ruby Brewer, Virginia Bond, Ida Bruce Fairchild, and Geraldine Herrington. She is survived by four sons, Robert (Peggy) Zehring, Fred (Carol) Zehring, Richard (Kim) Zehring, and Gary (Pat) Zehring; a stepson, Matt Kretschmer and stepdaughter, Claudia Hauft; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one brother, Glenn Blackaby; and one sister, Susan Sandridge.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 15 at Conner & Koch Life Celebration Funeral Home in Bellbrook. Burial will be in Spring Valley Cemetery. Mike Grushon will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends 6 - 8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made in Annabelle’s memory to Heartland Hospice. Condolences at www.connerandkoch.com.
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