George ”Dude” Paul Wiegand, III, 68, died unexpectedly on Oct. 15, 2017, in his home near Warsaw. He was born on January 15, 1949 to the late George P. Wiegand, II and Joan Marceille Cary in Warsaw.

He graduated from Pierceton High School in 1967, then served two years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. He married Anita Martinez in 1970. Together they had three children, Celeste Tina, George Paul and Bridget Ann. He married Kathleen M. Mooney on May 31, 1986, with whom he resided at the time of his passing.

During his time in the Army, he received certification as a cooling expert. Following his honorable discharge, he worked at Barker Heating and Cooling in Pierceton, before opening his own business, Wiegand Service, which he operated for many years. He then worked at New Plumbing and Heating, Pierceton Rotary Drilling, followed by Group Dekko, from where he retired in 2014, then returned as a consultant, where he was still working part time at the time of his death.

He was a former volunteer fireman in Pierceton and former member of the North Webster Lions Club. He served as Trustee of the American Legion Post 253 in North Webster for many years, where he volunteered his time to repair and maintain their building. He was given an Honorary Life Member of the Post and was also a charter member of Post #1 at South Park, near Barbee Lake, where he served as Fire Starter.

George will be lovingly missed and remembered by his family and friends for his endless love, helpfulness and sharing of his talents to repair anything. He was an excellent cook and his smoked pork and beef roasts were enjoyed at many family gatherings.

His legacy to everyone is his example to help family, friends and perfect strangers when and for whatever was needed. George embraced the importance of volunteering, as well as respect for the American flag and honoring all veterans of all of the armed forces. Hundreds of local people enjoyed his annual 4th of July celebration with great food and beautiful fireworks, which he hosted, along with his wife, his children and his good friends, Don and Patt.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, his children, Celeste T. (Brad) Richards, George P. (Julie) Wiegand, IV, and Bridget A. (Jay) Nicodemus, all local residents, his sisters, Rose M. (Steve) Gesaman, Pierceton, Janet A. (Joseph) Miller, Leesburg, Patricia L. (Dave) Barber, Bloomington, Mary L. (James) Horn, Winona Lake and Theresa M. (Steve) Swihart, Bloomington, as well as two granddaughters, Allyson (Mike) Damjanovic, Kouts, Indiana, and Kristen Schwenger, Columbus, Ohio, along with his 2 great granddaughters, Willow Damjanovic and Bexley Damjanovic, both of Kouts, Indiana, and seven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Zac Barber, brother-in-law, Joseph E. Miller, his grandparents, several cousins and all of his aunts and uncles, except his paternal aunt, Evelyn (Toots) Simons of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 by the American Legion Post 253 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. prior to Honors at Eastlund Funeral Home in Syracuse. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Animal Welfare League or the North Webster Food Pantry.