June 14, 1935 – July 9, 2019
Elden Russell Weesner, age 84, passed away on July 9, 2019, in Colorado Springs, CO. He was a resident of Ada, OK, for many years and was formerly a missionary in South India for 42 years with his wife, Dorothy Lee Weesner, who preceded him in death on May 7, 2017.
Elden was born on June 14, 1935, to Orval E. Weesner and Juanita Mae (Vail) Weesner in Colorado Springs, CO. On August 14, 1955, Elden and Dorothy married in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1969, Elden and Dorothy went to India with their 4 children to work with Medical Educational Assistance Program (MEAP). He and Dorothy founded Hope Rehabilitation Center, where Elden trained the handicapped men in machine shop skills. Elden also helped establish churches and a Bible college where he pastored and taught. They retired at age 75 and returned to the US, where they made their home in Ada, OK, and were members of Central Church of Christ.
Elden is survived by two daughters, Ruth Ann Weesner of Ada, OK, and Nanette Lee (Weesner) Tulloss (Mark) of Colorado Springs, CO; one son, Jonathan O. Weesner (Shawna Beard) of Endicott, NY; five grandchildren: Jonathan Scott Weesner of Tulsa, OK, Aaron K. Weesner of Tulsa, OK, Amanda G. (Weesner) Hurt and husband Timothy of Yukon, OK, Tessea C. Tulloss of Colorado Springs, CO, and Trenton J. Tulloss of Lincoln, NE; one great-grandson, Kaden J. Hurt of Yukon, OK; one brother, Alvin Weesner and his wife, Beverly; two sisters, Sharon (Weesner) Stitt and her husband, David, and Norma (Weesner) Yoho and her husband, Don.
He was preceded in death by parents; his brother, Gordon Weesner and his wife, Charlotte, of OK; his son, Russell E. Weesner of Tulsa, OK, and Chennai, South India; and his grandson, Damien “Tate” A. Tulloss of Colorado Springs, CO.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, July 15, 2019, at Academy Christian Church located at 1635 Old Ranch Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80908. Fellowship time will follow.
Graeme Wallis
14 Jul 2019I have very positive memories of Elden and the years of work in Chennai. Elden was faithful to the vision God have him and provided practical encouragement which has blessed many families. My condolences to all the family.
Mark and Pam Cox
15 Jul 2019Elden was a godly man that shared God’s word all of his life. We loved to sit at his feet and hear his stories and wisdom. He was devoted to his wife Dorothy. We will sorely miss them both! May God wrap this family in his loving arms.
Robert Higgins
25 Jan 2021Elden, you are my favorite joke-teller ever! I still remember the one about the motorcyclist with his head turned around backwards. I copied the way you always started your jokes with “You know the one about…” And thanks for teaching me (and thousands of Indian young men) how to properly use a file and hacksaw, and oh yea, a lathe, a drill press, etc.
Miss You!!! — Robert Higgins