Leonard Joseph “Peanuts” Weidinger, 96, Vienna, was born April 15, 1926, near Vienna, in Maries County, a son of Francis Joseph and Kunda Gunda (Koerber) Weidinger, and passed from this life Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at his residence near Vienna.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and had served stateside and in Japan during his military career.
Leonard was united in marriage to the former Miss Lucille Theresa Wansing, May 30, 1949, at Vienna, and to this union, four sons were born.
Peanuts was a member of Visitation Catholic Church and a charter member of Vienna Lions Club, both in Vienna. During his working life, he initially operated a bulldozer for Johnny Struemph. In 1950, he and Lucille purchased the Standard Oil Station and in 1960 the Chevrolet franchise in Vienna, which he operated for sixty years. Leonard was actively involved in Wagon Trains at Boys Town, St. James, for over ten years. Over the years he had logged 5500 miles to Springfield/St. Louis driving his favorite mules, Kate and Jake.
Peanuts was preceded in death by parents Francis and Kunda; wife Lucille; siblings Raymond Weidinger, Helen Magers and Leona Waters; step-father Joseph A. Volmert; and half-siblings Clarence Volmert, Lorene Hagenhoff, Roman Volmert, Eleanor Hoffnagle and Mary Krack.
He is survived by sons Mark Leonard Weidinger and wife Joyce, Joe Francis Weidinger and wife Brenda, Donald John Weidinger and Larry John Weidinger and wife Kelly, all of Vienna; grandchildren Angie Schwartze (John), Karrisa Grellner (Michael), Kelley Hagemeyer (Josh), Clayton Weidinger (Francie), Matthew Weidinger (Mara), David Weidinger (Jenna), Joshua Weidinger, Joseph Weidinger, Sara Schwartze (Jacob), Phillip Weidinger (Valerie), Justin Weidinger (Rebekah), and Rachel Weidinger; great-grandchildren Maria, Anna June, Frances, Augustus, Greta, Mathias, Kyle, Lucille, Henry, Katarina, Leo, Felix, Sonya, Isaac, Rya, Jude, Leslie, Jada, Kloee and Ridge; half-sister Louise Fill of St. Petersburg, Fla.; plus nephews, nieces, many other relatives, and a host of friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday (today), Aug. 31, from 10–11 a.m., at Visitation Catholic Church, Vienna, with a Mass of Christian burial following.
Interment with military honors will be in Visitation Cemetery, Vienna. Pallbearers for Mr. Weidinger will be Michael Grellner, John Schwartze, Josh Hagemeyer, Clayton Weidinger, Matthew Weidinger, David Weidinger, Joshua Weidinger, Jacob Schwartze, Joseph Weidinger, Phillip Weidinger, and Justin Weidinger.
Memorials contributions in memory of Mr. Leonard “Peanuts” Weidinger are suggested to Visitation Inter-Parish School, Vienna.
Arrangements entrusted to Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.
