Weldon Diener

Weldon Wayne Diener, 71, of Bradenton, Florida, went to his Heavenly home on June 12, 2020.

He was born to Willard A. and Erma Mae (Miller) Diener in Hutchinson, Kansas, on April 7, 1949.  He graduated from Haven High School, Hesston College, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Missouri University.  Weldon served his country by completing his IW service in Columbia, Missouri.

Weldon married Judy (Fast) Diener on August 1, 1969.  They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary last year with family and friends. 

Weldon spent the majority of his working years as a 3^rd generation dairy farmer in rural Yoder, Kansas.  He served on the board of Yoder Township, and was an elder at Faith Mennonite Church. He loved singing bass in the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus for many years. 

After he sold the dairy, Weldon raised beef for Yoder Meats and also drove roll-off truck for Stutzman Refuse Disposal.  In 2013, Weldon and Judy relocated to Florida to be near the grandkids.  He then enjoyed driving bus for Pioneer Trails and All Around Charters.  The past three years, Weldon sought out various volunteer opportunities, with over 500 hours served at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, daughters Monica Miller and Angela Stephens, son-in-law Daniel Stephens, and grandchildren Samuel Jason and Summer Rene Stephens, all of Sarasota, Florida.  He is also survived by three brothers and a sister: Ron Diener and wife, Marilee, Terry Diener and wife, Julie, all of Goshen, Indiana; Marvin Diener and wife, Lessie, of Olathe Kansas, and Marlene Boese and husband Gary, of Hesston, Kansas.  He had 12 nieces and nephews, and 10 great nieces and nephews. 

Weldon was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Jason Miller, and great-niece Ella Mae Derstine.

A visitation will be open to the community to attend on Saturday, June 20 from 3 to 6 PM at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, Kansas.  Social distancing will be practiced.

A private family burial will be held at Eastlawn Cemetery in Zimmerdale, Kansas on Sunday, June 21, and a celebration of life will take place at Hesston Mennonite Church.  These services are for immediate family, and by invitation only.  The celebration will be livestreamed, and all are welcome and encouraged to join in and watch at 2 PM CST by visiting https://hesstonmc.org/dienermemorial/.  There will be a remembrance video streamed at the end of the service.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Jason Miller Memorial Fund at Hesston College, in Hesston, Kansas. 

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, Ks.