Dr. Clifford Allen Wiethoff

Dr. Clifford Allen Wiethoff, 89, Seymour, died at 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour after a brief illness.
While a student at Shields High School, Dr. Wiethoff was a member of the Leaders Club, secretary of the Letterman's Club, editor of the Patriot staff and captain of the varsity basketball team. He was valedictorian of the Class of 1938. Dr. Wiethoff then attended Indiana University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Sphinx Club honorary fraternity and a member of the 1940 NCAA Championship basketball team. He graduated from IU in 1942 with an A.B. degree. After serving as president of his medical school class, he received his M.D. from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis in 1944, where he was a member of Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity. Upon graduation from medical school, he was commissioned a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Naval Reserve and served his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Fla. After his internship, he served in the Pacific War Theatre aboard the hospital evacuation ship LST 269 and then served as the industrial medical officer at Charleston, S.C., Naval Station. Upon discharge from the USNR in August 1946, he served as resident in pathology at IU Medical Center. He was later appointed chief resident in general surgery at Indianapolis General Hospital, now known as Wishard Hospital.
Dr. Wiethoff was a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Pan Pacific Surgical Society. He was also a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He was the first board certified surgeon in Jackson County and taught surgical pathology to IU freshmen medical students in 1950. Dr. Wiethoff was a former member of the medical staffs at Schneck Medical Center and hospitals in Bartholomew, Orange, Scott and Washington counties. He traveled to Washington County on a regular basis for 36 years and for many years was the only surgeon operating at that hospital, covering regularly scheduled operations two days per week as well as being on call for emergencies at all times. He retired in 1988.
In 1976, his son, Rick, joined him in practice. Dr. Wiethoff and his son co-authored the article "Operative Cholangiography in Rural Surgical Practice." It was read by his son before the 31st annual meeting of the Central Surgical Association on March 8, 1974, in
Cincinnati. The paper was accepted for publication in the "Archives of Surgery," Vol. 109, in August 1974.
Among Dr. Wiethoff's community activities were: lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Jackson Lodge 146 Free and Accepted Masons, Jackson County Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, president of Seymour Country Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 89, 50-year member and Past Master Councillor of the Order of DeMolay, DeMolay Legion of Honor, board of directors of Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan Association, board of directors of Seymour Chamber of Commerce, life member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, Hoosier Hundred of the IU Varsity Club, board of directors of the Seymour Girl's Club, Evening Rotary of Seymour,
member of the initial United Fund Board of Directors, Seymour Parks and Recreation Board, member of the original Jackson County Schneck Memorial Hospital building committee for the 1965 addition and Life Rank of Boy Scouts of America. He was listed in Who's Who in the Midwest in America and in Medicine and Healthcare and was awarded Sagamore of the Wabash in 1980 by Gov. Otis Bowen and again in 1990 by Gov. Evan Bayh. He was inducted into the Seymour High School Wall of Fame in 2008.
Born May 12, 1920, in Seymour, he was the son of Clifford H. Wiethoff and Mary E. Wiethoff. Dr. Wiethoff was married to Mary Lou Ferguson Wiethoff, the love of his life, for 63 years prior to her death in 2006.
They had four children, Janet W. (Jim) Price, Richard A. (Mary) Wiethoff, M.D., Barbara W. (Frank) Guthrie and John C. Wiethoff; nine grandchildren, Joel P. Price, Frank W. Guthrie, Kimberly W. (Chad) Cooper, Ryan C. Guthrie, Mary M. Price, Robert A. Wiethoff, Ross C. Wiethoff, J. Parker Wiethoff and J. Cameron Wiethoff; two great-grandchildren, Lucy and Flossie Cooper; and a nephew, Robert C. Parker.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Florence Parker.
The family wishes to extend grateful thanks to the devoted staffs of Schneck Medical Center and Lutheran Community Home.
Pastor Steve Cherry will conduct funeral services at 1 p.m. Monday at Voss Chapel, Seymour. Private graveside services will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and from noon until time of service Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to Schneck Medical Center or First United Methodist Church.
www.vossfuneralservice.com