Frederick William Wiedmann's Obituary
FREDERICK WILLIAM WIEDMANN
Age 86 of Rehoboth Beach DE, passed away Tuesday morning February 1, 2011. A first generation American, he was born on February 11, 1924 in Newark NJ, to the late Louis and Barbara Throm Wiedmann.
He graduated in 1942 from St. Benedicts Prep School in Newark NJ. He was attending Trenton State Teachers College when he was drafted into the Armed Services in 1944 to fight in World War II. He served 2 ½ years in the Eighth Infantry Division, 28th Regiment, known as the Golden Arrow Division, and fought in the Battle of Brest and the Battle of the Bulge for which he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Ribbon with 3 Battle Stars and Distinguished Service Unit Badge. Like many of the ‘Greatest Generation’, he did not speak much or complain of his time of service to his country during the war. Mr. Wiedmann returned to finish his degree at Trenton State and was the treasurer of the THETA NU SIGMA fraternity.
In 1948 he took a teaching position at Lewes High School where he “got sand in his shoes” and never left. He met his wife of 55 years, Roseanne while teaching business classes. He taught for 39 years and retired from Cape Henlopen High School in 1987. He was a loved and respected teacher and participated in many school activities as an advisor for the ‘National Honor Society’, member of the Business Teachers Association, Treasurer and organizer of the Sussex County Retired School Personnel Association and received Cape Henlopen School District Teacher of the Year award for 1981-82.
Mr. Wiedmann was a devout Catholic and active parishioner of St. Edmond’s Catholic Church in Rehoboth. He served as lector, choir member, Eucharistic Minister, parish bookkeeper, and a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus in the Star of the Sea Council and received the ‘Order of Merit’ for outstanding contributions to the Diocese of Wilmington.
Mr. Wiedmann loved the beach area and touched many lives with his involvement in the community. He opened the family run Boardwalk Tastee-Freeze with his wife and in-laws, Roberta and Richard Pioli. During his 64 years as a resident he served as Treasurer for Boy Scout Troop 85, coordinator for the Miss Delaware Pageants, was a member of the Friends of the Library and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He volunteered and participated in many local and charitable events and was especially committed to the Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches, Lend-a-Hand Committee which serves the local community, and the CROP Walk which he helped to organize participating in the annual fundraiser for food.
Mr. Wiedmann is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roseanne Beckman and sons Mark and wife Elizabeth of Wayne PA with daughters Katherine, Sarah and Grace; Matthew and wife Karen of Rehoboth with children Megan and husband Josh Henly and their children Joanna and Nathanial; Lauren, Ryan, Casey and Ashly with their son Mason; Luke and wife Suzanne of Lewes and children Tracie, Andrew and Michael; John and wife Susanna of Pasadena MD with children Stephanie, William, James and Matthew, and Peter and Ami of Dewey Beach and his sons Liam and Conor. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Nowak, of Lewes, originally of Maplewood NJ and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Raymond Forester on Saturday, February 5, at 11:00 AM at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971. Interment will be private at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach. The family invites all to a viewing on Friday, February 4, 7:00-9:00 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please make donations in Fred’s name to either St. Edmond’s Church or to the Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches Lend-a-Hand Committee, c/o St. Edmond’s Church, 409 King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971.
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