Leland Weldy
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Leland K. Weldy, 85, Elkhart, passed away 8:25 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital surrounded by the love of his family.
Leland was born November 30, 1935, in Wakarusa, Indiana, to Maynard Weldy and Edna (Weaver) Weldy, both deceased. Leland's two brothers and sister, Loren Weldy, Paul Weldy and Elaine Hostetler preceded him in death. He was joined in the union of marriage to his best friend, Sigrid (Swanson) Weldy on August 25, 1962, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Elkhart, Indiana. He is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne (Tom) Jones of Osceola, Indiana, and Nora Weldy-Reed of Elkhart, Indiana. He has been blessed with five grandchildren: Kiersten, Madison, Carson, Chandler, and Mitchell.
Leland was a gifted high school basketball player at Wakarusa High School, where he was the first county player to score over 500 points in a single season and remains a member of the 1000 Point Club. His accomplishments on the court led to his induction into the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of Goshen College's first Intercollegiate Men's Basketball team in 1956. After graduating from Goshen College in 1957, he proceeded to get his Master's in Education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Starr Commonwealth School for Boys in Albion, Michigan, served as Leland's first teaching job. He went on to coach basketball and teach at the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon, for two years. He enjoyed the experience of travelling throughout the Europe, East Africa, and the Middle East. He was a member of the Admissions Staffs at both DePauw University and Goshen College. Leland went on to serve as a guidance counselor in the South Bend Community School Corporation for many years, where he positively influenced the many young lives in which he encountered. He retired in 1996.
Leland has been an active member of Kern Road Mennonite Church for many years. He has volunteered at Little Flower Catholic Church helping out at the food pantry, while also volunteering at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary assisting with the grounds keeping. Leland enjoyed life living on Simonton Lake in Elkhart, Indiana, where he spent his day with his family. He also enjoyed visiting the family cabin in Northern Michigan, where mushroom hunting and hiking was an annual activity. Leland and his family would also frequently visit Englewood, Florida, making memories by the ocean every spring.
Leland was a positive influence to everyone he met, and will be missed.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 5-6 pm Friday, July 23, 2021 and 1 hour prior to an 11 am memorial service Saturday, July 24, 2021 both at Kern Road Mennonite Church, 18211 Kern Road, South Bend, IN 46614. Pastors David and Janice Sutter and Pastor Jen Shenk will officiate.
Memorial donations may be directed Goshen College or Kern Road Mennonite Church
Private burial will be at Olive (East) Cemetery.
Rieth Rohrer Ehret Lienhart Funeral Home, Wakarusa is handling arrangements and online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com