Rev. David W. Widmoyer

Nov. 28, 1930 - June 12, 2007
NAPPANEE - The Honorable Rev. David William Widmoyer, 76, of 251 E. Market St., Nappanee, died at 2:06 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2007, in Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen, where he had been a patient since Friday. He was born November 28, 1930, in Goshen, to Bernard M. and Isabel I. Spry Widmoyer. He was a lifetime area resident. He was a 1958 graduate of Nappanee High School and graduated from DePauw University in 1953. On June 1, 1956, he married Donna Rensberger in Nappanee. He graduated from the Course of Study School at Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1996 and was ordained by the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1997. He had served as a board member of the Bashor Home for Youth of the United Methodist Church and as president of the Board of Directors in 1977. He had pastored United Methodist Churches for 40 years. Serving at Tamarack United Methodist Church, Hasting Island Chapel United Methodist Church, and Maple Grove United Methodist Church. He was presently serving at Faith United Methodist Church as Pastor of Congregational Care. Rev. Widmoyer had been a Common Councilman in Nappanee, Past President of the Nappanee Parks and Recreation Board, had served on the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Nappanee Plan Commission, Board of Public Works, and had served as the Nappanee City Judge from 1980-2006. He was the Past President of the Wa-Nee Holding Corp. and was currently president of the Nappanee Library Leasing Corp. Rev. and Mrs. Widmoyer had owned and operated the B&B Restaurant in Nappanee from 1952 to 1993. He had been active in the Masonic Fraternity and had served as state presiding officer of the Royal Arch Masons in 1968, and as State Secretary from 1979-1996. He received the 33rd degree Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He had received his 50-year award for Shrine. In 2006 he received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. Rev. Widmoyer is survived by his wife, Donna; a son, Clark (Kathy) Widmoyer, Elkhart; three daughters, Beth (David) Bowman, Nappanee, Gail (Vincent) Alexander, Indianapolis, and Portia (Steve) Ham, Nappanee; eight grandchildren, Benjamin (Cassi) Bowman, Nappanee, Michelle Schmucker, Mishawaka, Rachel Ham, Nappanee, David G. Widmoyer, Elkhart, Jason (Elizabeth) Ham, Richlands, NC, Brianne Widmoyer, Elkhart, Colin and Gavin Alexander, both of Indianapolis; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Schmucker, and Tyler and Anika Bowman. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 17, in the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. A Masonic Service will be held at 7 p.m. Friends may call for one hour prior to the funeral service which will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 18, in the Nappanee United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Larry Kurtz, pastor at Faith United Methodist Church, Rev. Jay Morris and Rev. David Harrold, pastor of Nappanee United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Union Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elkhart County Community Foundation or to the donor's choice.