Weldon Eugene Burkholder

Weldon Burkholder
June 6, 1948 - October 7, 2017
Weldon was born in Waynesboro, Virginia on June 6, 1948, to Andrew and Lillie Mae (Miller) Burkholder and went to his heavenly home October 7, 2017, after a battle with leukemia.
He was a graduate of Broadway High School in Virginia, Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
He accepted Christ as his personal savior as a youth of 9 years and was a life-long member of Fairview Mennonite Church where he held numerous leadership positions. Right out of high school, Weldon traveled to Oregon by himself and worked for two years with troubled youth at the Children's Farm Home near Corvallis, OR. This sparked his interest in encouraging and investing in people, especially young people. For 28 years he was director of the church's youth camp along with his wife Judy. He served on the operation board of the Mennonite Village in Albany for over 20 years, serving as chairman for a number of years. He also served on their Foundation Board.
At one point in his life, he co-owned a custom cabinet shop. In the 70's and 80's he worked for Autumn Seed Company traveling to Canada, China, New Zealand and much of the east coast. He started helping his father-in-law, Kenneth Krabill, farm and then continued upon his retirement. He very much enjoyed learning the ins and outs of farming and now his sons Kent and Kirk continue to work the farm full-time. He was so looking forward to his grandchildren helping in the summertime.
As a small boy he developed an interest in sheep and has passed on this interest to his grandchildren. He also participated in and provided lambs for the church's Christmas Pageant for 25 years.
His love for adventure, particularly travel, was obvious early on. The winter before starting college, he traveled throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands during a six-month period covering 40,000 miles.  Later in life, he traveled to West Africa, Peru and Central America on mission trips and to New Zealand several more times. He was able to visit six of the seven continents.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping, with a fishing trip to Togiak, Alaska being a highlight.
He is survived by wife of 47 years Judy (Krabill); sons Kent and wife Heidi and Kirk and wife Amanda; eight grandchildren; brothers and sisters Ray and wife Martha of Harrisonburg, VA, Sarah Burkholder and husband Dave Kratowicz of Indianapolis, IN, Vera and husband Claude Gibson of Stuarts Draft, VA, and Clifford and wife Marilyn of Waynesboro, VA. His parents preceded him to heaven.
A memorial service will be held at Fairview Mennonite Church on October 21 at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in care of the funeral home to the Santiam Christian Schools FFA program or the Mennonite Village Capital Fund.