Leonard A. Wiechert, 81, a former Baker City resident, died on Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at Pioneer Memorial Hospital at Prineville.
His memorial service was Wednesday, March 5, at the Prineville Funeral Home. Curt Viles officiated. There was a fellowship gathering after the service. Cremation was by the Prineville Heritage Crematory under the direction of the Prineville Funeral Home.
Mr. Wiechert was born on Sept. 11, 1921, at Appleton City, Mo., to Gus and L.V. Short Wiechert. He grew up in the country in Missouri where he worked on the farm with his father.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While serving at New Guinea he got sick with malaria and Srubtyphus. Out of the original 150 men in his company, he was one of 13 who survived the war.
After his time in the service he met Rada Ward in Missouri. The couple were married on Sept. 15, 1949, at Cashmere, Wash.
They moved to Baker City for 15 years and then to Prineville, where they raised their family for the past 38 years. Mr. Wiechert had worked for several local lumber mills in Prineville.
Mr. Wiechert enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes, collecting spoons, making ice cream and fixing things.
Survivors include his wife, Rada Wiechert of Prineville; a son, Kenneth, and his wife, Susan Wiechert, of Germany; daughters, Teena, and her husband, Dan Viles of Prineville, and Kathi Wiechert of Bend; granddaughters, Sarah Viles, Breana and her husband, Cody Richardson, Amanda and her husband, Samual Jett, Hannah Wiechert, and Esther Wiechert; a grandson, Joshua Wiechert; great-granddaughter, Nina Richardson; and three nieces and one nephew.
Mr. Wiechert was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, March, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
