L. Dwight Farringer

Leland Dwight Farringer, 95, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away November 7, 2022, at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester, Indiana. Born on May 28, 1927, near Lena, Illinois, Dwight was the son of the late Roy D. and Lula L. (Lutz) Farringer. The middle of three brothers and an older sister, Dwight and his siblings were the fourth generation on their family’s farm.

After graduating from Lena Community High School in 1944, Dwight continued his education by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree from Manchester College in 1949. While in college, he served as a “sea-going cowboy” and delivered a shipload of horses to Trieste, Italy, as part of a Church World Service program to assist farmers in Europe in rebuilding after WWII. After graduating from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1952, Dwight spent six years in a graduate physics program at The Ohio State University.  His research project at The Ohio State University was in high-resolution magnetic resonance of protons, which is the basis for MRIs. In 1958 Dwight earned his PhD, and from 1958 to 1992 he was the head of the physics department at Manchester College.

While attending Manchester College as a student, Dwight dated Helen Halladay for two years. They spent two more years courting one another through long distance before they were married on August 29, 1950, at the Poplar Grove Church of the Brethren near Greenville, Ohio.  Helen joined Dwight for his final years at Bethany Theological Seminary and worked as a billing clerk for Sears-Roebuck in Chicago.  For two of their years at Ohio State University, the couple lived in a home rented by the So. Ohio district, establishing a Brethren Student Center at OSU.

Due to Dwight’s love of the natural world and the deep impression a family visit to Yellowstone National Park made upon him in his childhood, he and Helen took their children on summer camping trips including to a number of national parks. The couple also had vegetable gardens, which became a family affair in the summertime. History was always important to Dwight; he and Helen worked together for many years studying genealogy and creating a detailed database of both the Farringer and Halladay family trees. Dwight worked hard at converting family photos and movies to digital format. He delighted in sharing them with the rest of his family and passing along his fond memories and proud moments.

In his retirement, Dwight became a licensed amateur radio operator, where he made connections with other radio "hams" worldwide. He enjoyed restoring antique radios to working condition and serving as an audio-visual technician for programs at Timbercrest Retirement Community. Dwight was a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren and loved being involved there. He participated in the choir and helped develop and oversee the sound and recording system for many years.

The loving memory of Dwight Farringer will be forever cherished by his sons, Steven (Denise) Farringer, Columbia City and Bruce (Chris) Farringer, Reno, Nevada; daughter, Susan (William) Widick, Evansville; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dwight was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen Farringer; sister, Kathryn Fenn; and brothers, Dean Farringer and Earl Farringer.

A celebration of Dwight’s life will be held December 3, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana, with calling beginning at 1:00 p.m. Chaplain Laura Stone and Pastor Amy Gall-Ritchie will officiate.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Dwight Farringer, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana or The Manchester Fund, 604 East College Ave., North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Dwight Farringer has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.