John Joseph Wiedenman, a man of great intellect, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to his family, passed away on March 9th, 2026. Born on September 27, 1939, in Waukegan, IL, to Joseph Charles Wiedenman and Doris Duel (Gilliatt), John lived a life characterized by hard work, a curious mind, and a heart that found its greatest joy in the service of others.

John is survived by his beloved partner in life and in adventure, Anne Wells Possenti, who brought immense light and joy to his later years. He was a proud and loving father to his

daughters, Kathleen Wiedenman of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Christina Wiedenman of Columbia, SC. His legacy of love continues through his grandchildren - Jeffrey Wiedenman, Claire Wiedenman (Mazyck) and Rita Tadlock Lambert (Matt). John is also very proud of his great grandchildren, Tatiana, Alyssa, Elias, Dane and Truett. He was preceded in death by his parents, his late wife, Jeanette Ann (Simpson), and his son, Bradley John Wiedenman, with whom he is now reunited.

John graduated from Dwight Township High School (Dwight IL) in 1957 and that fall enrolled in Tri-State College (now known as Trine University) in Angola, IN, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1961. Within 2 weeks after graduation, he married Jean Simpson and he started a new career in Terre Haute, IN where he supervised the production of the propellant for Polaris missiles.

He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering and served as President of the local chapter while in school.

In 1966, after the start-up of a MSG production facility and the completion of several research and development projects, John and family moved to Danville, IL where he worked for Tee Pak Inc. Here he was assigned the task to develop and start-up the production of a new edible collagen sausage casing. Several other smaller projects were completed in Danville until 1975, when he was promoted to Engineering Design Manager for a new facility outside of Columbia, SC, which is to produce edible collagen Sausage casings on a large scale. This required that John and family move to Mauldin, SC, and one year later to Irmo, SC. The successful start-up of this facility was complex, but it was one of his accomplishments that he was most proud of.

In 1979, John moved to a new job in Charleston, SC and was promoted to Plant manager at Haarmann and Reimer (part of Bayer Corp.). He led the H & R team to bring the facility production up to design capacity. John also instituted an employee bonus policy, based on Productivity.

During his lifetime, John was an active member of the Rotary Club of North Charleston-Breakfast, where he served as President in 1990-91. He was a member of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, and the Charleston Manufactures Club. He has volunteered for several agencies, including the Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, American Lung Association, and Sylvan Learning Centers-Charleston.

In 2008 he met Anne Possenti and a common love of traveling and wine started a wonderful and loving relationship. John also helped Anne with her Sylvan Learning business. He was a collector of many things. Mostly he liked coins and stamps. His latest big hobbies were genealogy, and of course, traveling with Anne.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Northwoods Chapel 2180 Greenridge Road, with a Graveside Service following at St. Lawrence Cemetery 60 Huguenin Ave. Charleston, SC at 12:00 pm.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.