June
6, 1914 - Nov. 13, 2008MISHAWAKA _ Darwin "Dar" L. Wiekamp, 94, a longtime area banker known for his generosity and good deeds, died in his home Thursday morning after an extended illness. He and his wife Dorothy "Dot" Wiekamp, who survives, have been champions of educational causes and community development both with their financial support and h ands-on assistance. Known as Dar and Dot by their many friends, they worked closely together in helping others and in cultivating a giving and caring climate. "It's been an ongoing love story through 72 years of marriage," Dot said. "And now our team has been broken." Dar was born on June 6, 1914 in South Bend as the son of the late John Henry Wiekamp Jr. and Elizabeth (Kratz) Wiekamp. His family moved to Mishawaka when he was 2 where he lived the rest of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only child, Mary Lou Schwartz, who passed away on Feb. 1, 2002. Surviving are his wife Dorothy (Stone) Wiekamp of Mishawaka; a son-in-law, Dennis Schwartz of Mishawaka; a grandson, Jim (Julie) Schwartz of Granger; two great-grandchildren, J.T. and Jennifer Schwartz of Granger; and two brothers, Lester R. (Iris) Wiekamp of Mishawaka and Gerald D. (Bonnie) Wiekamp of Alabama. He also is survived by a nephew, Chuck (Nancy) Zimmerman and their children, Jenny and Don Zimmerman; a niece, Jane (Roger) Wright and their two children Ann (Clark) Zimmerman and Scott (Katie) Wright and their three children, Maya, Wilson, Eliza Jane; and another niece Sharon (Ron) Showalter and their two children, Greg (Gloria) Showalter and Jennifer Showalter and her two children Nathan and Bradley. Dar graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1932 and then earned an accounting degree from the South Bend College of Commerce after already beginning his financial career at the Associates Corporation in 1934. On June 14, 1936, he married his high school sweetheart, Dot Stone, in First United Methodist Church-Mishawaka. In 1945, he and a friend founded Owners Discount Corp. in Elkhart in an effort to serve customers that other banks ignored, specializing in small loans and new businesses. He eventually bought West End Bank of Mishawaka, continuing his lending programs to the less fortunate. It grew significantly over the years and later became Valley American Bank. "Dar and our family put our hearts and souls into that business," Dot said. "He loved working there so much." As Dar's business successes continued to grow, so did his and Dot's philanthropic commitments. Among their many benefactions, they donated the auditorium at the Northern Indiana Center for History while a gift to Indiana University South Bend created Wiekamp Hall and several scholarships. They underwrote the Bethel College Athletic Center, the Schwartz Wiekamp Medical Center in Mishawaka while significantly supporting the Center for the Homeless in South Bend. As part of his community service, he served as president of the South Bend-Mishawaka Area Chamber of Commerce and the St. Joseph (Mishawaka) Hospital Foundation. He was also on the boards of the Century Center Foundation, the Center for the Homeless, Project Future, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, the Mishawaka Division of the Salvation Army and Saint Mary's College along with the Indiana University South Bend Advisory Board. He and nine other businessmen also formed the Mishawaka Futures Industrial Park, now home to more than 20 small businesses. Always a modest man, Dar was very humble to become a 33rd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. Among his many other awards were an honorary doctorate degree in humanities and the Herman B. Wells Visionary Award from Indiana University. Dar also enjoyed an occasional game of golf and he and Dot especially relished spending their leisure time with Dot's sister and her husband, Mary and Don Zimmerman. Friends may visit on Sunday between 2 and 4 p.m. and 6 and 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church-Mishawaka, 201 E. Third Street. Funeral services will be on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Rev. Larry Whitehead officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka. Hahn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to First United Methodist Church-Mishawaka or to any organization that fits the charitable needs of the donor. "Dar's legacy in life was always giving back," Dot said. "In his memory, we hope that others will do the same." To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.