Rev. Gareth L. Wiederkehr

Rev. Gareth L. Wiederkehr, age 101 of Berne, Indiana passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Swiss Village.

He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Rev. Clarence and the late Ruth Wiederkehr.

Gareth was united in marriage to Treva Habegger on August 3, 1947 in Berne, Indiana, and she preceded him in death on January 20, 1988. Gareth later married Rosemary (Hanni) Sprunger on February 4, 1989 in Berne, Indiana, and she preceded him in death on February 25, 2019.

He enlisted in the United States Navy on July 29, 1943, serving his country during WWII in the South Pacific. During his time in the South Pacific, he was stationed on the USS Almaack as a Radioman Third Class. He was honorably discharged on April 4, 1946

Rev. Wiederkehr served as a missionary and pastor with World Partners/Missionary Church, retiring in 1990.

He was currently a member of First Missionary Church in Berne, Indiana, which also was the last church that he served on staff.

He enjoyed model railroads. He cherished the many moments he spent with his family and extended family.

Gareth graduated from Berne High School and later went to Fort Wayne Bible College as a pastoral ministries/missions major. During his ministry, his initial focus was on missionary work which took him to Central Africa in addition to Sierra Leone. When he returned to the States, he served several congregations in the United States.

His survivors include son, Wes (Lori) Wiederkehr of New Haven, Indiana; daughter, Karen (Rev. Paul) Patton of Albion, Indiana; daughter, Anne (Leon) Amstutz of Elkhart, Indiana; sister Miriam Ogden of Morton, Illinois; six grandchildren, Cheri (Alan) Shea, Lana Miner, Sara (Mark) Root, Tim (Kelly) Amstutz, Jacob (Teresa) Wiederkehr, Ashley (Jacob) Barse; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; step-son, Gregg (Barb) Sprunger of Berne, Indiana; step-daughter, Janet (Duane) Gerig of Knoxville, Tennessee; six step-grandchildren, Leslie (Jason) King, Ben (Lana) Sprunger, Michael (Jenn) Sprunger, Jennifer (Ryan) Strutz, Stephanie (Anthony) Dee and Jon Gerig; 21 step-great-grandchildren; and four step-great-great grandchildren.

Gareth is preceded in death by his son, Wayne Wiederkehr; granddaughter, Annette Sue Patton; two sisters: Naomi Wiederkehr and Marilyn Stokes.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Swiss Village Chapel with Pastor Paul Patton and Pastor Rick Schwartz officiating.

Friends and family will be received from 2:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the Swiss Village Chapel.

Preferred memorials are to World Partners Missions.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana.