Mark LeRoy Weidner, 82, died Sept. 27, 2025, in Lititz, Pa. He lived an extraordinary life because he was an extraordinary man. He lived through many beautiful chapters and had a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. 

He was born the second of four children in Allentown, Pa., 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, N.Y., 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 master of divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and a doctor of ministry from United Theological Seminary. This calling led him to roles in 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. He 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 kind and generous. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years, Susan McElwain, who died in 2004.

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); stepdaughters Sharon Landis (Jeff) and Suzanne Marie Fransen Hitt (Steve); 11 grandchildren; and siblings Marilynn Strayer, Lois Marshall and Joel Weidner. 

A celebration of life ceremony was held Oct. 11 at Akron Mennonite Church. Donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.