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Do you believe in miracles? If you don’t now, you might after reading Saline County resident Karl Seibert’s story. In 1999, twelve years into a successful career with the United States Postal Service, Karl’s world turned upside
down. On a return trip from Houston, Texas, Karl’s truck was hit head on at an impact speed of 140 mph. With his massive head injuries and lack of pulse, heartbeat and respiratory functions, the emergency responders declared him dead on arrival. One EMT, who was also a youth pastor, found Karl’s Bible with a picture of 4 • Saline County Lifestyles
his four daughters stuck between the pages and knew he had to keep trying. Karl grew up in Saltillo, Mexico, near a family-owned mine. His friends and neighbors were Latino, and as a child Karl spoke only Spanish. He was 13 when the mine failed
causing the Seiberts to relocate to New Jersey, near his grandparents. After high school Karl earned baccalaureates in biology, chemistry and physics at Rutgers University. Looking back, these great academic accomplishments paled in comparison to a life-changing moment at Shea
Stadium. “Living in Mexico, my father had developed some prejudices against Latino people that influenced our family. But when I got saved at the age of 16 at a Billy Graham crusade, God opened my eyes to the fact that all people are equal in His eyes. I understood that God’s Word is true, and this set the course for my life.” Although Karl had been an international resident, he moved to Saline County in 1977 with the intention of going to medical school. During that time, Karl worked odd jobs on his grandparents and uncles’ dairy farm and new housing development off Salem Road, the Helmich addition. This is when, through mutual acquaintances, Karl met his future wife, Mary Anne Pelton in December of 1978. The two were married on July 14, 1979. Starting in 1980, Karl shared his love of science through teaching biology at Benton High School to students who were having a difficult
