Mr. Conrad Henry Rehling, age 87, of Hiawassee, GA, formerly of Tuscaloosa, AL, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at home, following a period of declining health. Coach Rehling was born February 6, 1920, in Peru, Indiana to the late Fred and Sylvia Rehling. He grew up in Indiana and went to college on a basketball scholarship at Taylor University. He also served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Coach Rehling was nationally known as a teacher of champions at both the University of Florida and University of Alabama. He received numerous awards during his career including the following:
Rated, for years, by Golf Magazine, as one of the "100 Best Instructors in America"; Class A PGA professional for over 40 years, one of very few PGA professionals holding the title of "Master Professional"; National Chairman of PGA Committee for the Physically Challenged; multiple winner of Horton Smith Award for Golf Professional of the Year, a member of the Taylor University Athletic Hall of Fame, and in the NCAA Golf Coaches Hall of Fame, to name a few.
Coach Rehling was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL, until moving to Hiawassee, GA, in 2001, where he then became an active member of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church. He was married for 62 years to the former Juanita Maxine Dopp. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard, and sisters, Rachel and Kay. He is survived by his wife Maxine, and by his sister, Ruth Covey, his daughters and their husbands: Melinda and Rudy Patton, Melissa and Peter Stanz, and Mary and Jim Holmes. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Steve Patton, Rachel Patton, Maggie Holmes, Jamie Holmes, Sarah Holmes, and Abbie Holmes. Great-grandchildren are Lindsay, Stephanie, and Emory Patton.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at the McConnell Memorial Baptist Church. Officiating will be two of his sons-in-law, Rev. Rudy Patton, pastor of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church, and Rev. Jim Holmes, pastor of First Baptist Church of Helen, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to: the Building Fund of the McConnell Memorial Baptist Church, P.O. Box 235, Hiawassee, GA 30546, or to the Building Fund of Helen First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 626 Helen, GA 30545.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent ot Maxine Rehling @ P.O. Box 235 Hiawassee, GA. 30546.
The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.