Calling(s)

Monday, March 20, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Service

Monday, March 20, 12:00 PM St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Obituary

Dean Dwight Wengert, 83, of Fort Wayne passed from this life on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in the promise of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born September 2, 1933, in State Center, Iowa, Dean was the son of Roland Wengert and Lillian Bernard. He was the youngest of four sons, and grew up on a farm that included Belgian draft horses, Guernsey cows, Poland China hogs, chickens, and field crops. These were formative years for Dean, and he forever regarded himself as an Iowa farm boy.

But being last on the farm led to Dean being the first to college. At Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, he trained as a teacher for Lutheran schools. He played football on the college team, something that farm work stood in the way of during high school. It was during his college years that he met his future wife, Ruth Hachmeister, with whom he would spend over 60 years of married life.

After teaching jobs in Missouri, Minnesota, and central Indiana, Dean was called to (Suburban) Bethlehem Lutheran School, west of Fort Wayne. As teacher and principal, Dean molded minds and manners for 35 years, obtaining his MS in education from the University of Saint Francis along the way. It was time, not for retirement but for new challenges. He secured surplus food for the young Community Harvest Food Bank as Director of Donor Relations, then worked in several departments of Sears.

An active member of Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Dean was a thoughtful contributor at Bible study. At home, his yard and garden were not chores but an opportunity to tend God's creation. And when it came to small engine repair, Dean had a knack for finding the faulty part or starting the uncooperative engine.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 2016, his parents and brothers, and a great-grandson, Silas Winkler.

He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Echelbarger (Randall) of Greentown, Kimberly Stickell (Lawrence) of Roanoke, and Kevin (Bridget) of Kendallville.

He is also survived by grandchildren Lesley Echelbarger, Ann-Elise Winkler (Jacob), Caroline, Madeleine, Hilary, and Sophie Stickell, Nicole Schmidt, and Mason Wengert; three great grandchildren, Tyce, Elleri, and Nori.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 20, 2017, at 12 p.m. at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne with Rev. Reed Lessing officiating. Burial will be in Concordia Gardens in Fort Wayne. Calling is Monday, March 20, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School, 6318 West California Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46818 or to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46804.

Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com