Earl Gerald Weidner, 82, a lifelong Marshall County resident, died at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, in Atria Tanglewood Trace Assisted Living, Mishawaka, Indiana.
Born in Argos, Indiana, on July 27, 1929, Earl was the son of Charles Henry and Clara Hartman Weidner.
He graduated from Argos High School with the class of 1947, and served as a Sergeant in the Army in the Korean War.
On June 6, 1953, in St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, Plymouth, Earl and Lois Jean Umbaugh were married.
Earl worked as a plant manager for many years with Pilgrim Farms.
A devoted husband and family man, he is survived by his six children.
They are: Kevin D. and Carolyn Weidner of Glendale, Arizona: Karen E. Prebys of Greenwood, Indiana: Kathleen A. and Ken Thomas of Chesapeake, Virginia. Karol L. Weidner Chesapeake, Virginia, also survives together with Karla J. and Fred Malecki of Granger, Indiana, and Keith and Jill Weidner of South Bend, Indiana.
Six beloved grandchildren survive as well: Christy, Kelly, Ryan, Joshua, Jordan and Alyssa.
He is also survived by his brother, Charles T. Weidner, Naples, Florida.
Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, and their son, Kerry S. Weidner. Earl enjoyed sports and working crossword puzzles.
He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the V.F.W. Post 1162 and, formerly, the Moose Lodge.
Friends will be welcomed by the family to celebrate the life of Earl Weidner on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
A Rosary will be prayed at 7:45 p.m. in the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. The Rev. Father William Kummer will officiate.
Burial, with military graveside services conducted by the Plymouth American Legion, VFW and DAV, with a South Bend Honor Guard, will be held in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, Indiana.
Memorial gifts in Earl’s memory may be given to St. Michael Catholic Church or to the school.
Gary Peters says
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I am sure he will be be deeply missed by all of your family. Gary Peters of Grand Rapids, Mi.
Charles and Carolyn Phillips says
Karol, it is with heart felt sadness we offer our sincere condolences on the passing of your father. May you draw strength from the remembrance of the good times you have shared with him. We pray for peace and comfort for each of your family members in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Charles and Carolyn Phillips
Kathy Parker says
We were so sorry to hear of your Dad\’s passing. Please know that our thoughts & prayers are with you as you go through this really difficult time.
Don & Kathy (Jung) Parker
Cindy Boener says
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of Earl. I first met Earl when I became the volunteer choir director at St. Michael Church and quickly grew to love both him and his wife, Lois. He had such a great sense of humour and a dry wit, which caused me to call him the \”Bob Newhart\” of the choir. I loved the times he would stop by the church Rectory – he would always have some funny story to tell, or some words of encouragement or appreciation for us – and we would always tease him about his affection for peanut M&M\’s. He was a good man and will be missed.
Patty Kraft Romano says
To Kevin,Karen,Kathy,Karol,Karla,Keith
Very,very,sorry for your loss. Very saddened of this news.
Many memories at the Weidner homestead on Michigan Street.I can hear his laugh,
You\’re parents were definitely my second parents. Loved them both.
Very disappointed I will not be able to attend the services.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and will keep everyone in my prayers.
Love you all
Your friend always
Patty Kraft Romano
Libby Forbes says
I am sorry for the loss of your Dad. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. He was a great man. I feel so fortunate to have been touched by your family. You all are such wonderful people.
I send my love and prayers to all of you!
Libby
Shirley Casbon says
I was sad when I heard about Earl; but know that he is with Lois and Kerry again. I met Lois and Earl in 1949 when I started at the bank. We both married in 1953 and had our first child six days apart and keeping up until the 5th one. I\’ll always remember the good times. Earl and Jim fishing together, the parties, watching the Weidner boys play sports; eating chicken at the Corner Tavern, our vacations together, the card club and those ballgames when our children were home. My thoughts are with you all at this time of grieving.
Shirley Casbon
Dr. Bill Kirkley says
Karen and family, So sorry to hear of your father\’s passing. Its always tough to lose a parent. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Take care.
Bill Kirkley
Marcia Cook says
Kathy and family ~
I\’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. For years I lived three doors east of your folks on East Laporte. Earl played a lot of gags on me and always kept me laughing. He was also a good friend to my Dad, Bob Cook, and was there for my family when he passed away. Earl was a great guy and a lot of fun. I\’ll be thinking of you and your family as you navigate through this difficult time.
Take care,
Marcia Cook
Abby Sharp says
Keith,
I\’m so sorry to hear about your dad\’s passing. You\’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Abby (Kleckner) Sharp
Class of 1986
Becky Shelton says
To the family of Earl Weidner: So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He was such a nice man as was your mother a terrific neighbor to my parents, Dick & Ruth Schweisberger for years. They will truly be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Becky Schweisberger Shelton and Roger
Rick Schweisberger
Tracy & Kelly Schweisberger
Mark Loeffler says
The Loeffler Family sends their prayers to a wonderful family in their time of grieving.
Debra L. Young says
So sorry to hear of your Dad\’s passing, Karen. You and your family are in my prayers
Debra (Snoke) Young
Eyvonne Aker says
Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers, during this most difficult time.
Deepest sympathies,
Eyvonne and Gary Aker
Rick Derf says
Death is a difficult part of the life process and I am saddened by the news of Earl\’s passing. I always admired Earl and felt that his family was a shining example of love and respect within the family unit. He was very likeable, gracious, and sharp. I offer my condolences to the family and pray for your comfort and peace. I have many fond memories of the Weidner family.
Dennis Wade says
Weidner Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your father was such an outstanding man and the head of a wonderful family. I wish I could be there in person but you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dennis Wade
Julie Schroeder Weidner says
Dear,sweet Earl, I will always treasure our time together,,,,,,,,
Nancy Read Frye says
I have very fond memories of your family and I wanted you to know I am thinking of your family as you grief over the passing of your Dad. I loved babysitting for all of you kids while your parents went away for the evenings. You were all such great fun. Your parents were a strikingly good family role models and I think of your family each and every Sunday as I leave Trinity United Methodist Church and look at your old home on South Michigan St. May you all have great memories of your parents and love for your family. May God be an instrument in all of your lives.
Sherry Watkins says
I am so very sorry to hear of your dad\’s passing. He was always one of my favorite people. His sense of humor was only surpassed by his kindness. When I was growing up, I was privileged to experience the atmosphere of the Weidner home: warm, lively, and there was always laughter. Many, many great memories! May your wonderful memories help lift you at this very difficult time. Please know that I am thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers.
Linda Starr says
I was sorry to learn of Earl\’s passing. Your family is in my prayers. I know you have many wonderful memories of him. Mine take me back to the basketball/football days of Keith and Brett! Those were fun, though a little exciting and over-emotional (speaking for myself!). Time passes all too quickly! Please accept our sympathy, knowing Earl is in a wonderful eternal home!
David Umbaugh says
Uncle Earl passed away but my memories of him guiding myself and friends down the right path as kids,
and sparing my Dad\’s judgement, will never pass away. I hope he was taken without suffering and left the hands of caring and loving people. All you cousins were blessed, as I have been, to have parents like
Uncle Earl with us into our own senior years. Always encouraging and with a smile God\’s gift to all of us was Uncle Earl and Aunt Lois.
Shirley A. Gidley says
While I could not be there, I still want all of you to know that you have had great parents. After your mother\’s passing, he still would pick up people to bring to Mass and do little odds and ends for them.
Parents are such a great joy and we don\’t realize all of the things that we have learned from them until they have left us. The good memories keep surfacing and we certainly can relate to them as time passes.
God Bless all
Damaris Story says
I am so sorry I did not make it to see you and give my condolences to you in person.
It is not good for us to become\”orphans\”. but I know you have many good memories of your parents and many good times together. Just keep them close.
My care for you all.
Damaris
Gary Peters says
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I am sure he will be be deeply missed by all of your family. Gary Peters of Grand Rapids, Mi.
Charles and Carolyn Phillips says
Karol, it is with heart felt sadness we offer our sincere condolences on the passing of your father. May you draw strength from the remembrance of the good times you have shared with him. We pray for peace and comfort for each of your family members in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Charles and Carolyn Phillips
Kathy Parker says
We were so sorry to hear of your Dad\’s passing. Please know that our thoughts & prayers are with you as you go through this really difficult time.
Don & Kathy (Jung) Parker
Cindy Boener says
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of Earl. I first met Earl when I became the volunteer choir director at St. Michael Church and quickly grew to love both him and his wife, Lois. He had such a great sense of humour and a dry wit, which caused me to call him the \”Bob Newhart\” of the choir. I loved the times he would stop by the church Rectory – he would always have some funny story to tell, or some words of encouragement or appreciation for us – and we would always tease him about his affection for peanut M&M\’s. He was a good man and will be missed.
Patty Kraft Romano says
To Kevin,Karen,Kathy,Karol,Karla,Keith
Very,very,sorry for your loss. Very saddened of this news.
Many memories at the Weidner homestead on Michigan Street.I can hear his laugh,
You\’re parents were definitely my second parents. Loved them both.
Very disappointed I will not be able to attend the services.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and will keep everyone in my prayers.
Love you all
Your friend always
Patty Kraft Romano
Libby Forbes says
I am sorry for the loss of your Dad. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. He was a great man. I feel so fortunate to have been touched by your family. You all are such wonderful people.
I send my love and prayers to all of you!
Libby
Shirley Casbon says
I was sad when I heard about Earl; but know that he is with Lois and Kerry again. I met Lois and Earl in 1949 when I started at the bank. We both married in 1953 and had our first child six days apart and keeping up until the 5th one. I\’ll always remember the good times. Earl and Jim fishing together, the parties, watching the Weidner boys play sports; eating chicken at the Corner Tavern, our vacations together, the card club and those ballgames when our children were home. My thoughts are with you all at this time of grieving.
Shirley Casbon
Dr. Bill Kirkley says
Karen and family, So sorry to hear of your father\’s passing. Its always tough to lose a parent. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Take care.
Bill Kirkley
Marcia Cook says
Kathy and family ~
I\’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. For years I lived three doors east of your folks on East Laporte. Earl played a lot of gags on me and always kept me laughing. He was also a good friend to my Dad, Bob Cook, and was there for my family when he passed away. Earl was a great guy and a lot of fun. I\’ll be thinking of you and your family as you navigate through this difficult time.
Take care,
Marcia Cook
Abby Sharp says
Keith,
I\’m so sorry to hear about your dad\’s passing. You\’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Abby (Kleckner) Sharp
Class of 1986
Becky Shelton says
To the family of Earl Weidner: So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He was such a nice man as was your mother a terrific neighbor to my parents, Dick & Ruth Schweisberger for years. They will truly be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Becky Schweisberger Shelton and Roger
Rick Schweisberger
Tracy & Kelly Schweisberger
Mark Loeffler says
The Loeffler Family sends their prayers to a wonderful family in their time of grieving.
Debra L. Young says
So sorry to hear of your Dad\’s passing, Karen. You and your family are in my prayers
Debra (Snoke) Young
Eyvonne Aker says
Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers, during this most difficult time.
Deepest sympathies,
Eyvonne and Gary Aker
Rick Derf says
Death is a difficult part of the life process and I am saddened by the news of Earl\’s passing. I always admired Earl and felt that his family was a shining example of love and respect within the family unit. He was very likeable, gracious, and sharp. I offer my condolences to the family and pray for your comfort and peace. I have many fond memories of the Weidner family.
Dennis Wade says
Weidner Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your father was such an outstanding man and the head of a wonderful family. I wish I could be there in person but you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dennis Wade
Julie Schroeder Weidner says
Dear,sweet Earl, I will always treasure our time together,,,,,,,,
Nancy Read Frye says
I have very fond memories of your family and I wanted you to know I am thinking of your family as you grief over the passing of your Dad. I loved babysitting for all of you kids while your parents went away for the evenings. You were all such great fun. Your parents were a strikingly good family role models and I think of your family each and every Sunday as I leave Trinity United Methodist Church and look at your old home on South Michigan St. May you all have great memories of your parents and love for your family. May God be an instrument in all of your lives.
Sherry Watkins says
I am so very sorry to hear of your dad\’s passing. He was always one of my favorite people. His sense of humor was only surpassed by his kindness. When I was growing up, I was privileged to experience the atmosphere of the Weidner home: warm, lively, and there was always laughter. Many, many great memories! May your wonderful memories help lift you at this very difficult time. Please know that I am thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers.
Linda Starr says
I was sorry to learn of Earl\’s passing. Your family is in my prayers. I know you have many wonderful memories of him. Mine take me back to the basketball/football days of Keith and Brett! Those were fun, though a little exciting and over-emotional (speaking for myself!). Time passes all too quickly! Please accept our sympathy, knowing Earl is in a wonderful eternal home!
David Umbaugh says
Uncle Earl passed away but my memories of him guiding myself and friends down the right path as kids,
and sparing my Dad\’s judgement, will never pass away. I hope he was taken without suffering and left the hands of caring and loving people. All you cousins were blessed, as I have been, to have parents like
Uncle Earl with us into our own senior years. Always encouraging and with a smile God\’s gift to all of us was Uncle Earl and Aunt Lois.
Shirley A. Gidley says
While I could not be there, I still want all of you to know that you have had great parents. After your mother\’s passing, he still would pick up people to bring to Mass and do little odds and ends for them.
Parents are such a great joy and we don\’t realize all of the things that we have learned from them until they have left us. The good memories keep surfacing and we certainly can relate to them as time passes.
God Bless all
Damaris Story says
I am so sorry I did not make it to see you and give my condolences to you in person.
It is not good for us to become\”orphans\”. but I know you have many good memories of your parents and many good times together. Just keep them close.
My care for you all.
Damaris