DE KALB - Frederick E. Wehmeyer, 81, of DeKalb passed away Dec. 9, 2021, peacefully at home surrounded by his family after battling cancer for several months.

Cremation and arrangements are in care of Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb. A memorial service/celebration of life and burial will be held at a later date.

Fred was born Nov. 6, 1940 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Vade O. and Eloise (Balcar) Wehmeyer. He was married to Mary (Elsesser) Wehmeyer for 61 years.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Jeffrey (Rebecca) Wehmeyer; one daughter, Laura (Ronald Jr.) Bradt; three grandchildren, Jessica (Justin) Harper, Jacob (Sarah) Bradt, and Christopher (Gabriela Marquest) Bradt; three great-grandchildren, Ava Harper, Emma Harper and Jacob Bradt Jr.; two step grandchildren, Kendyl Westlake and Dylan Hughes; one sister, Susan Ramsey; and one sister-in-law, Janet Wehmeyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joe Wehmeyer; and a brother-in-law, Dr. Timothy Ramsey.

Fred grew up on the family farm near Mendota and graduated from Mendota High School with the class of 1958. He attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he was active in Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. He also attended Control Data Institute in Rockford, where he studied computer programming. He was employed by the Del Monte Corporation Farm Department in Mendota, Rochelle and Frankfort, Ind. He was a computer programmer for DeKalb Ag Research/DeKalb Pfizer Genetics in the Hybrid Research Department in DeKalb, where he retired in 2003. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, DeKalb. He enjoyed the Experimental Aircraft Association when he maintained a pilot’s license for many years. As a youth, he was active in Explorer Scouts and enjoyed canoe trips to Northern Wisconsin. He was an Assistant Scout Master for DeKalb Troop 28. For several years he volunteered for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Auxiliary. He had an interest in genealogy and traveled throughout New England tracing his ancestry. He enjoyed watching sports events, especially the Bears, Cubs, NASCAR and college football. Over the years he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to scenic locations. After his retirement, he especially loved the many trips to the Wisconsin family lake house, highlighted by the time spent there with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Fred’s memory to the First Lutheran Church, DeKalb, NM Kishwaukee Cancer Center, Promedica Hospice or a charity of donor’s choice, in care of Anderson Funeral Home, Ltd., P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth St., DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call (815) 756-1022.