Paul Malcolm Weinert, 94, was born on March 20, 1930, at home on the family farm northeast of Falls City, the first-born child of Harold and Verena (Malcolm) Weinert. He passed away October 31, 2024 at Lincoln, NE.
He attended District 54 School (Pig Hill) and graduated from Falls City High School in 1948. He then went on to graduate from Westmar College in 1952, earned a Master’s of Divinity at Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL and a Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas at Lawrence.
On February 22, 1952, he married Donna Lee Sickel. Donna preceded him in death on October 4, 2005. He then Married Mary Jane Schawang Lampe on August 11, 2007.
Paul began full-time ministry in 1955 at the Derby, KS E.U.B. Church until 1956 and then the Worden, KS E.U.B. in 1959. In 1963 he was called to serve two churches in Julian, NE which were merged into the United Methodist Church and then the Brownville and Nemaha U.M.C.s in 1970, serving both churches for 25 years. He continued officiating at countless funerals and weddings and to “fill the pulpit” into his nineties.
In 1956, Paul accepted a teaching position with Verdon High School, prior to beginning full time ministry. He returned to teaching in 1963 at Falls City High School and continued there until his retirement in 1988. Paul was a member of the Nebraska State Education Association, serving on their Board of Directors for many years. After his retirement from teaching, he was an active member of the Retired Teachers Association.
Paul farmed his entire life with a passion for stewardship to the land and the family farm. In 2024, the Weinert farm was awarded the 150 Year Nebraska Heritage Farm Award.
Paul was very active in his community, serving on the Falls City Council for 12 years and President of the Council in 1982, and as Mayor. He served on the Utility Board while on the council and the Civil Service Board for 24 years.
He was an active member of Rotary for many years and volunteered countless hours to community organizations and events. In 2018, Paul was honored for his civic service, when he was selected to be Grand Marshal of the Falls City Cobblestone Festival.
Paul was a member of the Zion Church until its closing and then the Bethel E.U.B. church (now Bethel Global Methodist). The Bethel church was built on a portion of the Weinert farm.
Paul was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna, parents, sisters, Mary Jean and Virginia, a brother, James in infancy, brothers-in-law, Jack and Don, and sister-in-law, Pat.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, brother, Charles, his children, Sue Weinert, Tom Weinert and his wife Gayle, Carol Thomas and her husband John, Greg Weinert and his wife Heidi, and Mary Beth Smith and her husband Craig, grandchildren, Drew (Ashley) Smith, Sarah (Jake) Huppert, Noah (Sabrina) Smith, Jesse Weinert, Sophia Weinert, Malcolm Weinert, Cambria Weinert, and Tristan Weinert; one step-great-grandchild, Thomas Hargis, step-children and step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, countless students and friends whose lives he touched.
His celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Bethel Global Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Hader officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Zion Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 5-6:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be made to family choice for later designation.
