WESLEY B. WEDDLE

Wesley B. Weddle passed away March 26, 2013. He was born in 1926 in Stewartsville, Mo., to parents Claudia E. and James A. Weddle. The family consisted of four sons and five daughters. Wes's wife of over sixty-four years Ethel I. Weddle and their son Zachary, age fifty-five, preceded him in death. Wes is survived by his sons Stanley J., of Denver, CO., Wesley T. of Kansas City; daughter-in-law Terri of Kansas City; and daughter Jane A. and husband Craig Langenberg, who reside in Brooksville, FL. He is also survived by his sister Donna and husband Joe Glenski of St. Joseph, MO.; grandsons Travis Weddle; Dr. Nicholas Weddle, wife Keri, great- granddaughter Solibel; granddaughter Leigh Ann Weddle; grandsons Brian Weddle, Brett and Tyler Langenberg. Wes recognizes that any accomplishments he may have helped make on this earth are due to the influence, guidance and blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Father, God Almighty. A visitation will be held from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home on Friday, March 29. A Celebration of Wes's life will be conducted at the South-Broadland Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1 at 7850 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Wes attended elementary school in Stewartsville, MO., Bliss Junior High School, and Central High School both in St. Joseph, MO. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, attended and graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia, MO, and did graduate work at Central Missouri State University, University of Missouri at K.C., and Avila College. Ethel and Wes were members of South-Broadland Presbyterian Church for fifty-six years and involved with the church's education program as well as served as deacons and elders. He was a member of the Raymore Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. Wes was privileged to have served thirty-eight years in the Kansas City, Missouri Public School District ending his educational career during the year 1985 as a secondary school principal. In 1969, Wes assisted the Local Built-Roofers Union and Contractors, establish and apprentice- training program for its members and helped run the program for twenty years. The program received national recognition for effective training of roofer apprentices. During the years of the 80's, he and his wife formed a co-ed softball team composed of their sons and son's wives, daughter, nieces, nephews, and their young friends. This group played softball games within the Kansas City Parks & Recreation facilities for eleven years, was competitive, and members had a BALL. Wes, in retirement volunteered as an AARP-IRS Tax Counselor for the Elderly, counselor for Medicare- Medicaid concerns, and was able to assist many person with tax and Social Security concerns. Ten years was spent helping to clean up the highways, by-ways of a small section of Interstate 435, near their home. In year 1989, Wes, with the assistance of his very capable wife Ethel and a few dedicated mature interested men softball players, founded the Kansas City Metropolitan 50+ Softball League. Wes served as president of the organization for seventeen years and then was declared Chairman Emeritus. This group had, at one time, 700 men and women members, and information about the league may be found at www.kcseniorsoftball.com. Ethel and Wes visited seven foreign countries and have played softball together in four of those countries. After this experience, they decided that they could play softball less expensively in the good ole U.S. of A. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Memorial Fund at South-Broadland Presbyterian Church, 7850 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO. 64131 (816-523-7326). M