Dwight C. Lemert

Dwight C. Lemert, 91, of Walkerton, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center from an extended illness.

Dwight was born on March 21, 1932 in Teegarden, Indiana, to the late John J. and Dorothy (Helterbrand) Lemert.  On November 10, 1950, in Plymouth, he married Mary Jane (Bradford) Lemert. They shared 11 years of marriage together until her passing on May 6, 1961. On July 14, 1962, he married Hazel D. (Bradford) Lemert in North Liberty, Indiana.  They shared 52 years of marriage until her passing on August 13, 2014.  

Dwight started working at the B & O railroad with his father-in-law, Ghern “Simon” Bradford.  He was fond of the trains and developed a hobby for collecting H. O. Scale model trains.  Dwight left the railroad to became a truck driver.  He started his career driving for Commercial Motor Freight of Indiana.  He drove over 4,000,000 miles and received numerous Good Safety awards. He was also a member of the Local Teamster’s Union 364. He eventually retired from O. K. Trucking Company.   His love for the road did not stop there. He was also a former race car driver at South Bend Speedway, Playland Park in South Bend, Plymouth Motor Speedway, and New Paris Speedway.  He was also an avid NASCAR fan.  When Dwight wasn’t on the road or racing, he enjoyed working out in his yard gardening and spending time woodworking.  Dwight was a devoted Catholic and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Knight of Columbus 2042.  He loved his weekly visits from Fr. Zimmer whom he became very close friends with. 

Dwight is survived by his two daughters, Linda L. (David) Rotruck of South Bend, and Angie R. (Tim) Glennon of Walkerton, also by one son, Michael C. (Becky) Lemert of Plymouth.  He had 9 loving grandchildren, Amanda (Philip) Klein, John (Kim Linner) Rotruck, Led (Vi) Lemert, Michael Lemert, Jason (Amanda) Hartsell, Brad (Amanda) Hartsell, Katelyn (Anthony) McGriff, Christopher (Audra) Glennon, and Jennifer (Casey Kantorowski) Glennon, by 14 loving great grandchildren, Tanner, Scyler, Harper, Haley, Holden, Logan, Jane, Braxton, Caroline, Presley, Landon, Noah, Jaydee, and Carah.  He is survived by one sister, Faye Evans of Sandusky, OH and a son-in-law Gordon Hartsell, of Plymouth and by his loving dog, Izzy.   Along with his parents and spouses, Dwight is preceded in death by his step-father Harold Whitaker and step-mother, LaWayne Lemert, by his daughter, Sandra “Janie” Hartsell,  his brothers, Claude Lemert, and Dennis Lemert and by his childhood best friend, Gene Whitaker.

Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in the Hanley and Sons Funeral Home “Walkerton Chapel”, 1216 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, IN  46574, where a Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m.  There will be a mass of Christian burial on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 807 Tyler St., Walkerton, IN 46574 with Fr. Eric Zimmer officiating.  Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Walkerton.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Dwight can be made to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, 8815 Conroy Windermere Rd. Suite 309, Orlando, FL 32835.

The Hanley and Sons Funeral Home “Walkerton Chapel” and Cremation Service are handling arrangements and extends our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Lemert family and friends.  To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit http://www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhomes.com

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