Mark LeRoy Weidner, 82

September 27, 2025

Mark LeRoy Weidner, age 82, lived an extraordinary life because he was an extraordinary man. He lived through many beautiful chapters and passed away peacefully beside his family on September 27, 2025 in Lititz, PA. He had a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born the second of four children in Allentown to LeRoy and Viola Weidner. He met his future wife Susan in the church nursery at First Mennonite of Allentown. He started out his career in engineering, working for Xerox in Rochester, NY in its early days. After serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Vietnam during the war, he left his engineering career when the Kent State shootings called him to take a new path into ministry. He received a MDiv from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and a DMin from United Theological Seminary. This calling led him to many Mennonite institutions, including planting a church in Cincinnati, Central District Conference Minister, Ohio Conference Minister, Vice President at AMBS and pastor at Perkasie Mennonite Church. Mark also served on the Bluffton University Board of Trustees for over 20 years.

Mark was a beloved brother, husband, father and grandpa. He loved a good joke, a hot cup of coffee, and a homemade meal. Throughout his life he put his beliefs into action and was always a kind and generous man. He is survived by his wife Kay, his four children Lisa Adams (Scott), Beky Weidner (Larry Penner), Tim Weidner (Elaine Esch) and Elizabeth Weidner (Alejandro Sanchez), his stepdaughters Sharon Landis (Jeff) and Suzanne Marie Fransen Hitt (Steve) and siblings Marilynn Strayer, Lois Marshall and Joel Weidner. Mark was the proud Papa to 11 grandchildren: Grace, Erin, Hannah, Kate, Zach, Julia, Sydney, Alison, Lindsay, Emma and Camila. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years, Susan McElwain (d. 2004).

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at Akron Mennonite Church on Saturday, October 11th at 4pm. A receiving line will precede the service at 3pm. Dinner to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.