Joe E. Wiegand

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Ps 91:1-2 Joe Wiegand, 89, died Sept. 1, 2010. He was a long-time resident of Jennings. He was born in Uhland, Texas, on March 19, 1921, and lived in Kyle, Texas until 1955. While in high school, he placed first in the Texas state declamation contest. He served with valor during World War II. While in the U.S., he patrolled the beaches of South Texas and also trained war dogs. While serving in the south Pacific, his LST was the first ship leading the battle of Okinawa. Upon his return he worked in Kyle, Texas for Lex Word in many different capacities, ultimately managing the Ford Implement Company. Mr. Word was an inspiring mentor and his very dear friend. While living in Texas, he was active in many different civic organizations and was master of the Kyle lodge of the Masonic Order. Upon moving to Jennings, he was manager of the Jennings Rice Drier for 20 years. Thereafter, he was self-employed and owned Southwest Louisiana Tool and Grinding Company. On his business card was the inscription, If we meet and you forget me, you have lost nothing, but if you meet Jesus Christ and forget Him, you have lost everything. He loved his Lord and his highest priority was living out his faith. He was a servant leader in many capacities at First Baptist Church. He participated in the jail ministry for 40 years. He was an active member of The Gideons and enjoyed sharing the Gideon report in many churches. He enjoyed attending the Lake Arthur Camp Meeting each summer. He will be sadly missed by his adoring wife of 59 years, Dorys Elaine Loewer Wiegand. He is survived by four daughters, Brenda (Barry) Williams; Daphne (Mark) Anderson; Melissa (Shannon) Hall; and Claire (Joel) James. His grandchildren are Stephen (Shelby) Williams, Peter Williams, Joe Anderson, John Anderson, Madelyn Hall, Andrew Hall, Kathryn James, and Julia James. He is preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Elsa (Hill) Wiegand, sister Ruby Madeline Wiegand, and his brother Eugene Weigand. His many family members looked to him as an example of a life rightly lived. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010 in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Masters officiating. Funeral home visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2010; then from 9:00 a.m. to time of services in the church. Burial will be in the Live Oak Cemetery in Kyle, Texas at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 under direction of Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Post Office Box 220, Jennings, or First Baptist Church, 1001 Cary Avenue, Jennings, LA 70546.