| HIST |
Othniel Henry Wienges Jr.
Othniel Henry Wienges Jr. ST. MATTHEWS - Othniel Henry Wienges, Jr., 88, of St. Matthews, died Tuesday, April 2, 201, in Calhoun Convalescent Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at St. Matthews Presbyterian Church, St. Matthews, with Rev. Dr. Bill Watson officiating. Burial will follow in West End Cemetery. Mr. Wienges was born in Calhoun County, a son of the late Othniel Henry Wienges, Sr. and Celeste George Wienges. He graduated from St. Matthews High School and the University of South Carolina with a BA in English. He was a member of K.A and the Naval ROTC as well as numerous other academic fraternities and organizations. He was a founding member of the USC Educational Foundation and was active in the Gamecock Club, Alumni Association and served as vice chairman, chairman and was currently chairman emeritus of the USC Board of Trustees. Mr. Wienges was also active in civic organizations including the Lions' Club, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Masons, and others as well as having served as past president of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau, S.C. Horse Council, S.C. Thoroughbred Association. He was chairman of the S.C. Rural Area Development Commission and a member of the state board for the S.C. Farm Bureau Federation, S.C. Farm Bureau Marketing Association, Master Farm Family and School Board Trustee for Calhoun County District One. He was presented the Man of the Year Award in New England Racing by the Northeastern Sportswriters Association in 1974. Mr. Wienges was a member of the S.C. House of Representatives for 10 years, serving on the S.C. Ways and Means Committee for nine years. He received the Paul Revere Award in New England Racing in 1981, was a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. A thirteen-time winner of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Award, Mr. Wienges had the honor of having the South Carolina Owners and Breeders Association Award named for him and, the first year it was established, he was the winner of the award. He was a member of St. Matthews Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon, elder and trustee. His survivors include his wife, Callie of the home; daughter, Carol and husband, Monty Laffitte; son, John Wienges; grandchildren, Montague and Lauren Laffitte, Carolyn Laffitte, Othniel Laffitte, John Wienges, Jr., Trezevant Wienges and Francie Wienges; great-grandchildren, Monty and McNeill Laffitte. Memorials may be made to St. Matthews Presbyterian Church, 103 Amaker Street, St. Matthews, SC 29135; the University of South Carolina, Attention Jack Wilson, 1304 Heyward Street, Columbia, SC 29208, indicate Wienges Project in the memo line of your check; or to a charity of your choice . Please sign the families' online guestbook at www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com.
Published in The State on April 4, 2013 [3] |
1925 - 2013 (88 years)
