Dale Weidmayer remembered by Freedom colleagues

Dale Weidmayer

At the regular meeting of the Freedom Township Board on March 9, the board paused to remember the life and service of their former supervisor, Dale Weidmayer, who passed away on February 26 at the age of 76, just three months after ending his term last November.

“A moment of silence was held in memory of former Supervisor and Trustee Dale Weidmayer who faithfully served Freedom Township for 44 years,” according to the board minutes. “He was a dear friend and a dedicated member of this community. Our sincere condolences are extended to Dale’s family, friends, and all who knew him.”

A life-long resident of Freedom Township, Weidmayer was a graduate of Manchester schools, and worked the family dairy farm with his father, Erwin; partnering later in life with his son, Keith. He was also a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bridgewater.

“It is hard to put into words what an amazing guy Dale Weidmayer was,” said Valisa Bristle, who served under Weidmayer as Clerk for the past several years. “He was a wonderful boss and became a great friend.”

Weidmayer became a Freedom Township trustee in 1976 and then became supervisor in 2007, serving Freedom Township for a total of 44 years.

“Dale was very dedicated in serving his community and preserving the rural integrity of our area,” Bristle continued. “Having been a farmer his entire life, he knew what hard work and dedication meant to get the job done and he used that mentality when serving the township.

“Whether you had lived in the township your entire life, as Dale did, or just moved in; he would welcome you with a story (or two) and treat you with respect. He was humble and kind and a great person who will be dearly missed.”

Bristle added that the Freedom Township Board hopes to host a memorial service honoring Dale and his service and contributions to the township this summer, according to CDC guidelines.

Weidmayer is survived by his wife, Sue; his children: Kevin (Kathy) Weidmayer of Reading; Keith (Jeannie) Weidmayer of Ann Arbor; Kyle (Brooke) Weidmayer of Manitowoc, WI; Karla (Jeff) Shankland of Clinton; Jim (Kate) Fritts of Waterville, OH; 13 grandchildren and his sister Betty Weidmayer of Ann Arbor.

The loss of such a long-time community servant is indeed a loss to the entire Manchester community.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.