Donna Marie Weddle (Silsby)

Donna Silsby Weddle was born in Pisgah, Iowa, on Sept. 1, 1920. She died in Independence on May 28, 2015. She married her husband, Fred, in 1944 and for a number of years lived many places while he was a combat pilot in the US Air Force. They became residents of Independence in 1950. She taught for 25 years in the Independence public schools, as well as in Rock Creek and in Iowa. For 25 years she was active in the RLDS Stone Church congregation serving in the departments of religious education, music, and women’s work. She was a current member of the South Crysler Restoration Branch. For ten years she volunteered at the Independence Regional Hospital, and eight years for the Foundation for Research on Ancient America. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree at North Texas University, a Master’s degree at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and did a great deal of additional graduate study at Central Missouri State Teachers College. Mrs. Weddle was a popular soloist in the area, and three times performed the contralto solos with the Independence Messiah Choir. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her son, Dale, and her sister, Melva. Her survivors include a son, Ronald, of Hillsborough, NC; a daughter-in-law, Maeve Weddle, of Ontario, Canada; a granddaughter, Rachel Weddle, of Boulder, CO; grandsons, Nathan Weddle of Durham, NC and Brett Weddle of Ontario, Canada; great-grandchildren Olivia, Elyana, and Noah Steinberg of Boulder, CO; and nephew, Scott Nixon, wife Julie, and sons Daniel (Lauren) and Robert, of Independence, MO. A funeral service will be held at South Crysler Restoration Branch, 16101 E. Salisbury Rd., Independence, MO 64050, on Monday, June 1, 2015, at 2:00pm. Family will greet friends an hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Center Place Restoration School, 819 West Waldo, Independence, MO 64050. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)