1923
Delight
2016
Delight Wier
September 21, 1923 — July 13, 2016
Delight B. Wier, 93, of Lacon, died on July 13, 2016 at Country Comfort Retirement Home in Henry.
September 21, 1923, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Elwena Bobilya, was born to Clarence L. and Inez Edna Bandalier Bobilya. An only child, known as A. Delight, she grew up on the family homestead, Bonnie Acres, in Monroe Township of Allen County.
At age 4 her father took her to the one room school where he taught. He thought she could be a politician and discouraged her interest in medicine. Both parents loved poetry and music. Her mother who had studied with a concert pianist arranged lessons in piano and violin. In 1940 Delight graduated as valedictorian of Hoagland High School. At Ball State University she studied music and art education, graduating in 1944.
Employed by the Allen County Schools, Delight lived at home and served as a Block Warden during the last years of World War II. While studying opera in Chicago at the Raisa Rimini School, she was employed by the Lutheran Church of America. Among assigned tasks, she conducted field surveys and taught Vacation Bible School in the ranch areas of North and South Dakota. On assignment to appraise the mission of the Rural Youth of the United States of America (RYUSA), she met her future husband. Delight finished her public school teaching career at Hoagland High School in 1951.
On June 26, 1951, Delight married Ralph R. Wier at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Monroeville, Indiana. Double Horseshoe Farm of Lacon, Illinois, was their family farm home. She taught private piano and voice lessons. Writing "Letter from a Farmers's Wife" of ‘Prairie Farmer' magazine for fifty years chronicled the family's joys and sorrows. During that time she became a popular inspirational public speaker and wrote several books about the family farm life experience.
The American Bible Society tapped her talent as a volunteer speaker and promoter. As her children grew, she taught Sunday School, Bible School, directed youth choir and served as a 4-H leader. In the 1980's and 1990's she served the United Methodist Church as a delegate to Annual, Jurisdictional and General Conferences. While serving on the board of the Mission Society of United Methodists of the Good News movement, she traveled to Paraguay and Albania to assess foreign missions. Participating in mission work trips within the United States and abroad was a special joy for Delight.
In recognition of her dedication as a mother, teacher, and community volunteer, Delight was named "Illinois Mother of the Year" in 1983.
Delight was predeceased by her husband, Ralph (1987), and children Daniel Christian (1957) and Maryanne Delight (1970). She is survived by children Rebecca Lock (Dale) of Petersburg; David (Julie) of Wilmore, Kentucky; Timothy (Sandra) of Lincoln; Paul (Nancy) of Eureka, and Jonathan (Diane) of Lacon. There are twenty grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchilren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday July 18 at 10:00am at Lacon Sparland United Methodist Church in Lacon where she was a Member. A visitation will be on Sunday from 3-5pm also at her church. Burial will be in the Lacon Cemetery and memorials can be made to Good News or her Church. Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com
Lacon, IL
Lacon, IL
September 21, 1923, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Elwena Bobilya, was born to Clarence L. and Inez Edna Bandalier Bobilya. An only child, known as A. Delight, she grew up on the family homestead, Bonnie Acres, in Monroe Township of Allen County.
At age 4 her father took her to the one room school where he taught. He thought she could be a politician and discouraged her interest in medicine. Both parents loved poetry and music. Her mother who had studied with a concert pianist arranged lessons in piano and violin. In 1940 Delight graduated as valedictorian of Hoagland High School. At Ball State University she studied music and art education, graduating in 1944.
Employed by the Allen County Schools, Delight lived at home and served as a Block Warden during the last years of World War II. While studying opera in Chicago at the Raisa Rimini School, she was employed by the Lutheran Church of America. Among assigned tasks, she conducted field surveys and taught Vacation Bible School in the ranch areas of North and South Dakota. On assignment to appraise the mission of the Rural Youth of the United States of America (RYUSA), she met her future husband. Delight finished her public school teaching career at Hoagland High School in 1951.
On June 26, 1951, Delight married Ralph R. Wier at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Monroeville, Indiana. Double Horseshoe Farm of Lacon, Illinois, was their family farm home. She taught private piano and voice lessons. Writing "Letter from a Farmers's Wife" of ‘Prairie Farmer' magazine for fifty years chronicled the family's joys and sorrows. During that time she became a popular inspirational public speaker and wrote several books about the family farm life experience.
The American Bible Society tapped her talent as a volunteer speaker and promoter. As her children grew, she taught Sunday School, Bible School, directed youth choir and served as a 4-H leader. In the 1980's and 1990's she served the United Methodist Church as a delegate to Annual, Jurisdictional and General Conferences. While serving on the board of the Mission Society of United Methodists of the Good News movement, she traveled to Paraguay and Albania to assess foreign missions. Participating in mission work trips within the United States and abroad was a special joy for Delight.
In recognition of her dedication as a mother, teacher, and community volunteer, Delight was named "Illinois Mother of the Year" in 1983.
Delight was predeceased by her husband, Ralph (1987), and children Daniel Christian (1957) and Maryanne Delight (1970). She is survived by children Rebecca Lock (Dale) of Petersburg; David (Julie) of Wilmore, Kentucky; Timothy (Sandra) of Lincoln; Paul (Nancy) of Eureka, and Jonathan (Diane) of Lacon. There are twenty grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchilren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday July 18 at 10:00am at Lacon Sparland United Methodist Church in Lacon where she was a Member. A visitation will be on Sunday from 3-5pm also at her church. Burial will be in the Lacon Cemetery and memorials can be made to Good News or her Church. Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com
Visitation
JUL 17. 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CDT)
Lacon-Sparland United Methodist ChurchLacon, IL
Funeral Service
JUL 18. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Lacon-Sparland United Methodist ChurchLacon, IL
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To send flowers to the family in memory of Delight Wier, please visit our flower store.
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