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Wesley Maiers Obituary
Wesley William Maiers
March 15, 1932 - Sept. 30, 2021
Wesley William Maiers, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 30, 2021, at the VNA Hospice House in Valparaiso, IN. Wesley was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Born on March 15, 1932 in LaGrange, Missouri, he was the second child of William and Laura Schurman Maiers, joining sister Shirley (Maiers) Dieringer. Following the death of his parents when he was a teenager, Wesley made his home with his uncle and family, Buddy and Azaline Maiers and their daughters; Arlene (Maiers) Nunn and Pud (Maiers) Fishback.
Upon graduation from LaGrange High School, Wes attended Valparaiso University. After college, he trained as a stenographer in the Army, and was sent to Austria and Italy. He then earned his Master's in Teaching from Indiana University and worked as a Fulbright exchange teacher in Zonguldak, Turkey.
After settling in Valparaiso as a teacher, Wesley married Joanne Krentz. They spent 43 years together on their beloved farm; they also delighted in travel-both with family and on 13 unique Elderhostel programs-and one of their most adventurous journeys was a six-week trip, traveling by car from Norway to Turkey and Greece. Wes was known for his hard work, quick wit, and interest in the world. He was an avid baker, gardener, and farmer. For 35 years, Wes taught math at Valparaiso High School, and was sponsor of the Foreign Exchange Club. Post-retirement, Wes taught 14 years as an adjunct math professor at Valparaiso University, where he was also an active alumnus and fan of VU basketball.
The proud father of five children and 14 grandchildren. Wes taught by example and was a good shepherd to all his "sheep!": Janet (Lon) LaGrave (Maran, Katherine, and Nathan); Karen (John) Sudduth (Stephen, Kirk, Joanna); Don Maiers (Nick, Bret, and Donald); Martha (Christopher) Tillquist (Abraham, Magdalene), and Lora (Dave) Castleman (Joseph, Ella, Paul). Wes was also a great-grandfather to nine children, and a host father to three international students: Lisbeth (Denmark), Verena (Switzerland), and Rico (Switzerland).
Wes was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet, and wife, Joanne. In 2013, Wes married Marjorie Mork. Wes and Marge shared eight special years together up until his death. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Valparaiso University or the VNA Hospice House of Valparaiso.
A visitation will be held Saturday, October 9th at MOELLER FUNERAL HOME Valparaiso from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Monticello Park Dr., Valparaiso with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Valparaiso University or VNA Hospice of NWI.
Memories and Condolences
for Wesley Maiers
Scott Weeks
October 19, 2021
Praying for the Maiers family!
Mel Bohlmann
October 9, 2021
Dear Marge and Maiers' families,
My condolences on the passing of your beloved husb and, father, grandfather who also gave much of himself serving our Valparaiso community.
Wes and I first met at VU in 1949, he volunteered with me on an Indees convention in 1951. Our families shared schooling thru high school. Wes invited me to join Sat.Eve.Club in 1988 - he was its leader for ten years. A pleasant near-saintly person, he is well remembered.
Bob and Helga Morton
October 9, 2021
our deepest sympathy
Brenda Maiers
October 8, 2021
Wes was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend! He will truly be missed! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jan Dieringer Risley
October 8, 2021
I have many memories of Uncle Wesley and his kindness and genuine interest in learning and in anyone around him. I attended Valparaiso University and on occasion had a home cooked meal at Uncle Wesley´s and Aunt Joanns home Martha and Lora were in high chairs, boy do I feel old. It was at Uncle Wesley´s hand that I had my first lamb burger ( unbeknownst to me) and exclaimed that it was the best hamburger I had ever eaten, he surely got a chuckle out of that. I also clearly remember the gifts he brought to us as children from Turkey... the most amazing ornate shoes I had ever seen. He will be missed by so many.
Fred Kendall
October 6, 2021
Our deepest condolences. Mr. Maiers was a great person and teacher... a true inspiration to many (including me).
Pam Lasky Diethorn
October 5, 2021
Mr. Maiers was not only a neighbor but was one of the most caring people as my mom`s health failed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Maiers family during this difficult time.
Cynthia Hoftiezer
October 4, 2021
Mr Maiers was a wonderful and favorite teacher at VHS and my years in the Foreign Exchange Club built my interest and love for travel and a broader world view. He made a difference in so many lives. Wishing peace and comforting memories to his entire family.
Ben Holterhoff
October 4, 2021
I was in the class of 1994 at VHS. I'm not sure exactly what year it was that this occurred, but as one of my most memorable times while at VHS was Mr. Maiers announcing his retirement to our class. Knowing that he would struggle to get through making the announcement himself, he had one of our geometry classmates read a message to us after he had left the room. I'll always remember that as something that broke through and really registered with me in addition to all the great geometry learning in which he guided us. I was lucky to have him as a teacher.
Kay Dieringer Cook
October 4, 2021
I have many fond memories of Uncle Wes from my childhood and as an adult at family reunions. One of my fondest memories was taking the train to Chicago as a teenager and him picking us up to spend a week on the farm. And then him driving us back to Quincy, taking the "scenic route". I always appreciated that he seemed interested in our lives, always asking for family news. And when I was younger I enjoyed that he spoke to me as a person, not as a little kid. I'll always remember that about him. He was a good guy and will be sorely missed. Unable to attend the funeral, I send my deepest condolences and send my love to the family.
Road Scholar
October 4, 2021
We are honored to count Wesley among our treasured alumni. May he rest in peace.
Cheryn Drake
October 3, 2021
Remembering all the wonderful opportunities Wes gave so many students, especially the force he was in my son´s (Scott Maesch) life. Scott today is an international business lawyer with a German law degree, a German wife and a bilingual, dual citizen daughter living and working in Dusseldorf. Wes helped him get to Germany for the first time through YFU.
Mark Dieringer
October 3, 2021
Wesley was an uncle. Although I lived a good distance from him most of my life, I enjoyed the talks I had with him at reunions and when he visited. He was an intelligent man who loved and raised a great family. Only fond memories. Wishing the family peace in your loss.
Phil Bickel
October 3, 2021
With fond memories I recall Wes and Joanne, and their children (many of whom I taught). Wes was an excellent geometry teacher, and I´m living "proof" that he fascinated me with the challenge to solve and prove problems in a logical process. His influence got me to participate in boys state and senior class Vice President. He was kind and gentle and had a great sense of humor. It was great to see him in church and exchange friendly greetings with a teacher I truly admired. May the legacy of faith he taught to his family be the source of comfort and hope in the midst of their grief.
Laura Geiss Ellsworth
October 3, 2021
Martha and family - I'm so sorry for your loss! I have such good memories of math class with your Dad, especially now that I am a math teacher, too. And I truly appreciate his leadership in the Foreign Exchange Club. Involvement in the club had a such a positive impact on my life, my family, and our school. It led to my family hosting an exchange student, becoming an exchange student myself, and hosting an exchange student as an adult. We were lucky to have Mr. Maiers at VHS!
Alex Szmutko
October 3, 2021
I got to know Wes throughout the years as I serviced his computer equipment. He always was great to chat with and very proud to take about his family. Wes will be missed and you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
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