Weldon Stockwell, age 88, of Sunbury, moved on to Glory on Monday, October 28, 2013 at Riverside Methodist Hospital.
He was born on June 30, 1925, in Trenton Township, to the late Clarence C. and Opal V. (Leak) Stockwell. A 1943 graduate of Sunbury High School, Weldon served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WW II. He went on to marry the love of his life, Nancy (Beacom) Stockwell on October 22, 1950, the ceremony performed in her parent’s home. He was a former pastor in The Christian Union and, for 26 years, was the Field Representative of the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association.
He is survived by his daughter: Kathy (Jim) Gorsuch of Sunbury; son Mark (Cindy) Stockwell of Sunbury; grandchildren: Jennifer and Brody Stockwell; as well as many other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, on December 11, 2012.
Friends may call Friday, November 1, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, SR 3 at 61, Sunbury. Graveside services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Trenton Cemetery with Pastor Bryan Grove officiating.
“We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope.” 1Thes. 4:13.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Charity or Church of Donor’s Choice.
Condolences may be expressed at
www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
Editor's note:I first met Weldon in 1985. I worked for Ridgewood Horse Transportation, he was with the Christian Harness Horseman's Association, and we seemed to be seated next to each other at many horse sales in Delaware, Ohio, Lexington, Kentucky., and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the next several years.
In an industry littered with rough talkers, liars, cheaters, drunks, dopers, and assorted lowlifes that would just as soon stab you in the back as help you out, Weldon was a strong, yet gentle man of God. He never judged you, he never preached to you unless you asked him a question about God, Jesus, the Bible, etc. Then he would tell you the
entire answer to your question. He never once judged me but was always there to help me spiritually any time I asked.
In 2005 as my father lay dying, I spoke with Weldon about his impending death. He really gave me words of wisdom that gave me the strength to deal with my father's death, and when Ryan and I were in our accident two months or so after my father's death, Weldon somehow found out about it and put us on the CHHA prayer list. I really believe that Ryan and I are as healthy as we are today because of the many people who prayed for us during our hospitalization. I vowed to help Weldon out as much as possible after we healed, and still donate money to the CHHA-albeit not enough or often enough.
I last spoke with Weldon two or three years ago at the Sunbury yearling sale, and we talked for quite a while about his deteriorating health, and that of his wife Nancy. He was not at all worried about dying-Weldon knew where he was going after he died. He informed me that prostate cancer was not going to kill him, and even his doctor told him so. He was always more worried about Nancy than himself.
Weldon really worked his butt off serving the members of the CHHA, traveling all over the midwest for little money, but always ready to help you with a smile or a helping hand. The list of people Weldon took special collections for is huge!
If there is a single angel out there flying around the Heavens, you can bet it is Weldon Stockwell.
Good job, my friend! Thank you for showing us how we all ought to live.
