A family man, Floyd Weikle taught life lessons of hard work, dedication, and commitment. Enjoying the simple things in life, such as bird watching, mowing his lawn, and gardening, Floyd was content just to be surrounded by his loving family and the natural beauty of God's creation.

On Monday, September 16, 2013 Floyd T. Weikle, age 82, of Bellville passed away in Knox Community Hospital following an extended illness.

He was born March 21, 1931 in Sarton, West Virginia to Otho and Nannie (Broyles) Weikle. Immediately after graduating high school Floyd joined the Air Force in 1951.

Working as a die setter and press operator for General Motors Ontario Plant, Floyd retired in 1997 after working 38 years.

Owning 4 John Deere tractors, Floyd loved to mow….even to the point of mowing his neighbor's property. No slouch, Floyd enjoyed being outside, cutting wood or tending to his vegetable garden.

Family was always important to Floyd. He looked forward to keeping in touch with his family by taking yearly trips back home to West Virginia where the Weikle family reunions were always held. More importantly he remained a pillar of support for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Floyd was most happy when sitting on his front porch surrounded by family or playing a game of euchre with his children or grandchildren.

Although selfless in nature, the one thing Floyd could never share was homemade butterscotch pie.

After his retirement from General Motors, Floyd began his hobby of bird watching. Soon his back yard had numerous bird houses. It wasn't unusual for Floyd to go through 50 pounds of seed every couple of weeks. He especially loved watching and feeding blue birds and helped his family put up their own blue bird boxes.

Floyd will be remembered for the sacrifices he made for his family and as a man who was always available to lend a helping hand.

He is survived by his lifelong best friend Shirley Weikle of Bellville; three children Kevin (Georgia) Weikle of Bellville, Pam Oswalt of Bellville, and Pat (Brian) Mowry of Bellville; grandchildren Alicia, Lee, Rick, Dustin, Taylor, Keith Thomas, and Kyle; great grandchildren Rena, Amaya, Lauryn, Lenee, Leonard, Kaylee, Logan, Ava, Sydney, Lincoln Floyd, Kale, and Kasen; sisters Evalie Linkous of West Virginia, Virginia Lee of Virginia, Wilma Ferrina of Maryland, Wilda Judy of West Virginia, and brother Lonnie Weikle of Virginia; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Floyd Weikle, Jr., siblings Eva Blake, Edna Rockwell, Lucille Reiss, Leonard, Marcus, and Norman Weikle; and son-in-law Randall "Dude' Oswalt.

His family will receive friends Friday from 4-7 p.m., September 20, 2013 in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home, where funeral services celebrating Floyd's life will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. Pastor Ken Kinley will officiate and burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery.