John Wegner, 83
May 18, 1927 — May 14, 2011
John R. Wegner, 83, of Evergreen Road in Niles, died at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 at his home following an 18-month battle with lung cancer.
- John Wegner, 83
Mr. Wegner was born May 18, 1927 in Plainwell, Mich. to Ralph H. and Virginia A. (Bell) Wegner. He moved from South Bend to Niles in 1940.
On May 1, 1987, he retired after 28 years of service at National Standard Co. in Niles. He was also formerly employed for 10 years at New York Central Railroad.
John was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 4, 1944 to June 19, 1946.
He was a member of the B.P.O. of Elks in Niles Lodge 1322 and American Legion Post 26 in Niles.
He was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying golf, baseball, basketball, bowling, pool and anything else with a ball in it. For 20 years, he held a Niles High School basketball record for the most points in a game. He was a big supporter of the NHS sports program. He was also an avid fisherman and loved to dance and watch his grandchildren’s sports and school activities.
On Sept. 7, 1946 in Niles, he married the former Dorothy R. “Dot” Welsher, who survives. Surviving family also includes their daughters, Stacey A. (Robert Evans) Wegner and Vicki L. Podjan, both of Niles; grandchildren, Heather (Billy) Zimmerman, Jamie L. (Jamie L.) Zimmerman, Joshua E. Weaver, Sarah (Casey) Gowen, Ben Evans, Jenny (Holli) Evans and Jessica (Nathan) Tonkin; 10 great-grandchildren; and a brother, James (Nancy) Wegner of Niles.
He was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Ava Zimmerman, and a sister, Judith Kolig.
Funeral services for John R. Wegner will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Elder Ray Fulbright of First Presbyterian Church in Niles officiating.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of John may be made to Hospice at Home or Disabled American Veterans.
Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:29am Tuesday, May 17, 2011