BUCYRUS—Bucyrus resident Dr. Donald “Doc” Wenner will celebrate his 100th birthday on Saturday and the city of Bucyrus will celebrate his long life of service to his fellow citizens both locally and nationally as Mayor Jeff Reser has proclaimed Aug. 15 as Doctor Donald Wenner Day.
“Dr. Wenner is one of our most treasured citizens and will be a centenarian on Aug. 15. All of Bucyrus is grateful that Dr. Don and Peg Wenner chose to settle in Bucyrus,” said Reser in his proclamation.
Bucyrus attorney Rob Neff has known Doc Wenner since the day he was born, literally.
“My mother told me that Doc Wenner delivered me in his pajamas at about 5:30 on a Tuesday morning. I guess that makes him the first man I ever met. I didn’t know then that what I know now: that I will never meet a better man,” said Neff. “Life has thrown a lot at Doc, and he has never hesitated to pull up his socks (worn under his sandals) and get on with whatever task is at hand. Happy Birthday Doc on a most wonderful celebration of an extraordinary life! Keep leaning into the wind!”
Dr. Wenner’s service to others began when he became a physician. He then served in the US Army Medical Corps during World War II and in 1952, he was called back to service during the Korean War and was ordered to duty aboard the U.S.S Windom Bay CVE92 to serve as the ship’s physician. His tour lasted until 1954 when he returned to Bucyrus. He was inducted into the Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame on Nov. 11, 2014.
He and his late wife Peg raised four children, Steven, Becky, Susan and Craig, and he cared for his patients until his retirement in 1990. He has served on the Bucyrus City School Board, Board of Council on Aging, Crawford County Chapter OGS Inc., Crawford–Marion ADAMH Board, Volunteer Taxpayer Assistance, Crawford County Mentoring Program, The Ohio Genealogical Society and YMCA Board of Directors and is a member of the Kiwanis Club.
Donald has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He worked at his family medical practice until he retired in 1990.
Dr. Wenner is a community philanthropist, paying for the installation of the long sidewalk from the entrance of Oakwood Cemetery to Southern Avenue. He established The Donald and Margaret Wenner Scholarship Fund for the Community Foundation. He also gave a generous donation to Crawford County Genealogy Society — and served on the board — to digitize Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum newspapers from 1991 to 2008. He also volunteers at The Ohio Genealogy Society.
He is a member of Bucyrus Kiwanis International and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he built the communion altar. He enjoys woodworking and has made a “view box” for Bucyrus Founder Samuel Norton’s bible, located at the Bucyrus Historical Society. He volunteered at the train station by making the wall paneling. With his daughter Becky, Donald volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He also rode his bike across the U.S. and continued riding until recently.
As the former director of the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, Deb Pinion was able to work with Dr. Wenner on several projects he did for the community.
“I love Doc. He has supported so many projects and events in Bucyrus. He has built a number of little free libraries; he has repaired the downtown. He painted park benches so many times and helped fund the making of the recreated popcorn wagon. He funded the sidewalk from Southern Avenue to the entrance of Oakwood Cemetery on Kaler Avenue. He has been a silent contributor to hundreds of community activities and projects through donations of his woodworking skills, his time and via financial support,” said Pinion. “His family is his pride and joy and he has dedicated his life to them and Bucyrus. There is a huge gold star set aside for this man!”
Birthday cards are appreciated and may be sent to Dr. Wenner at 1028 Lavina Ave., Bucyrus, OH 44820. His family is also inviting people to be part of a Drive-By-Party from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday.