Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on December 10, 1940 to Forest and Thelma Weddle, the second of two children, Alice Joy Weddle was surrounded by family that was committed to God and to teaching. She also had a life-long familiarity with Fort Wayne Bible College and the Gospel Temple.

She graduated from South Side High School in 1959, being the editor of the school’s award-winning yearbook . She entered Fort Wayne Bible College in the fall of 1959. During those years she excelled, establishing herself as a student leader. She served in the SEA (Student Education Association) throughout her undergraduate time, serving as president, Vice President, and other SEA committees. She was active on yearbook staff as layout assistant and literary editor. She served, her junior year on Student Voice as editor. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1964 with a major in elementary education.

After graduation, she taught in Fort Wayne Community Schools in grades 1, 4, 5, and 6. She pursued her Master’s Degree from Indiana University and eventually her doctorate at Ball State University (1982), with her dissertation focused on her lifelong interest-reading.

She came to Fort Wayne Bible College as an instructor 1971-72 school year. In 1984, she became the chair for the General Studies division in addition to teaching education classes. In 1987 she became director of teacher education in addition to her other responsibilities. Due to this organization, she helped strengthen the college’s general studies curriculum. Because of her knowledge and background in accreditation, she played a key role in assisting the college in continuing their Indiana State Education accreditation and the earning of North Central Association accreditation in the mid 1980s. She remained with the college through the merger with Taylor University for one year. She left the spring of 1993.

Alice Joy became a chaplain with Lutheran Hospital as she pursued another masters degree in couselling from Saint Francis. She continued as a member of local AIDS task force. This was something she had been helping with since at least 1989 and continued until illness took her life on March 23, 1998.

Comments

Janna (Schlatter) Worthman | Posted Sep 29, 2017 04:16 AM

Class of 1985

When I think back to my time in the classroom and the Elementary Education Department, I think of Dr. Alice Joy Weddle. With all the assignments to finish along with extracurricular activities that I was a part of, I sometimes felt like there wasn’t enough time in the day to accomplish it all. One day in class, Dr. Weddle told us she had an extra assignment for us to complete. She asked that we all memorize Psalm 91. It was always a source of comfort and strength to her. She was sure we would benefit from memorizing it as well. I remember feeling dismayed at this extra amount of work and not even something related to the class we were in. Was I ever wrong. To this day, when I am feeling in need of the Lord’s strength and comfort, the words of this Psalm come to me and it brings a sense of peace and strength. It has been the assignment that I cherish the most and the most important words I memorized while at FWBC! Thanks, Dr. Weddle, for giving me this assignment. It has and will continue to be the “lesson” I cherish most over all the countless classes I took during college.  

Shellie (Kale) Burden | Posted Sep 29, 2017 04:03 AM

Class of 1991

  Alice Joy loved to learn perhaps almost as much as she loved teaching. Her heart and specialty was in teaching reading to all students- including and especially those who struggled. This was the "AJ" I was introduced to in 1987. My older sister had graduated the spring before I entered. I knew little about the school or the staff except what Dawn shared. However, Dawn was careful not to share a lot. She wanted me to form my own identity and opinions while at college. My opinion was formed pretty quickly. AJ was firm, had high standards, smiled easily, and was above all things approachable- not everyone would see this side of her, perhaps. But those of us who had her as the primary prof during our years in college would. I didn't know most students only referred to her as AJ behind her back. No one told me! By second semester I was calling her AJ to her face and wondered why she always had a funny grin whenever I said it. I learned during my time at school that was her pet name from her dad. When I asked if I shouldn't call her that she assured me it was fine. She and her roommate took the Delta Pi Sigma group to the lake for a fun trip. No real educational purpose other than to connect with her students. I learned to water ski that day! She made every elementary education major memorize word perfect Psalm 91 in either KJV or NIV. It was part of an exam. You had to have it down well in order to pass the exam. When asked "what does this have to do with teaching kids to read?" Her response was "Nothing, but some day you will be in a classroom, you will be having a bad day or a struggle with a student, parent or co-worker ....and this will bring comfort and assurance." Hmm, she was right! Psalm 91 would eventually be used in my classroom, my home and in my personal life more times than I can count. Each time, to this day when I read, hear or use it to encourage another, I am grateful to AJ for making me memorize that chapter. A pet peeve was when a student would misspell "a lot." I should know because I was one of those students that graduated from high school thinking it was one word! I quickly learned. Before a test she would pray and then lead the class in "Cheer up ye saints of God." I thought she made the song up! Apparently not, but it was tradition to sing before every test! Now years later I smile at the thought of that silly song.    "Cheer up ye saints of God. There's nothing to worry about, nothing to make you feel afraid, nothing to make you doubt. Remember Jesus never fails so why not trust him and shout! You'll be sorry you worried at all tomorrow morning." (I think!) And who can forget Sam, Bangs and Moonshine, (the children’s book) or the Art for Teachers’ class and her bottle people! You either loved that class or not. For a student who said "I will never cut out letters free hand. That's what stencils are for. And most certainly I will NEVER do bottle people!" I did both! I never used stenciled letters unless the school I worked at had them already prepared. I always cut them out freehand. For all my kids’ birthdays, I cut the letters freehandedly! Yes, AJ, was right once again. She really did know what she was doing. Did I utilize everything she ever tried to teach? No, of course not. However, she did equip those she taught to excel and think independently, professionally, and critically. She would every few years go and PAY to take the NTE. (National teachers exam) just so she knew what it was like, how it had changed, and how to prepare her students for that test. We HAD to pass that in order to be licensed. She did it for us! She also understood and could empathize when a student struggled with the test because she had taken it! That was her way of leading. I remember a sermon at Fellowship. I have never forgotten the quote "speed of the leader, speed of the team!" Alice Joy lived as an example of that long before Pastor Dave preached that sermon. She led by example. She told me one day near my graduation day, that she always appreciated the "Kale girls" because she was certain to get an honest straight forward response. We would keep in touch and change from student /teacher to friends. She would come to my wedding shower and wedding. After graduation when teaching and needing encouragement or ideas, I would connect with her in the halls of Fellowship Miss. or call her up and ask for help. I don't know if many grads did this or not, but I knew I was always welcomed and she always had time for me. While writing this, I called my sister and asked her some thoughts about AJ. Dawn said, "I learned a lot from Alice Joy. One thing for sure is I learned you never judge a book by its cover. When you saw AJ for the first time you saw prim and proper- almost unapproachable. But then you got to know her and in every stage of her life you saw strength -a real person with real strength. I don't think there was anything she wouldn't do for her students if she could...." Then her health crisis came. I don't remember how long she battled but I do know I watched her accept that final journey with dignity and grace. I think there were times she felt bad that she had to depend on Lois (her housemate) or JoAnn (her sister) for so much during her treatments and rough days. Lois loved serving AJ and thought it was "such a shame for such a good kid like Alice Joy to have to suffer so.” It was during our visits in this stage of life I treasure most. By the time of her final fall that put her in hospice I was a mother of a 3 and 1 year olds. I got a call that she wasn't doing well and if I wanted to see her before she went Home I should come that day. I took my 3 year old daughter with me. She liked my "teacher" and wanted to go so badly. I struggled with the decision but chose to take our daughter with me because that lil girl said "Dr. Weddle needs to see kids before she goes to Jesus because she likes kids, Mama." So we went. AJ was critical. She had plenty of visitors that came to say goodbye. Not everyone in the waiting room was happy that I had brought my young daughter to such a sad place. However, I knew it was right. When it was our turn, I took our daughter in to see my friend. (Yes, I had tried to prepare my daughter for what she would see.) I walked in, lifted my child up to see AJ and told her what my little one had said, and AJ nodded her head yes weakly. I said something like, “even now you are teaching me and my daughter, AJ. Thank you." With tears in my eyes we walked out as my daughter reminded me that "Dr. Weddle loves Jesus, Mama. She will be happy again, right?" Yep, Dr. Weddle loved Jesus. Dr. Alice Joy Weddle went Home to her savior on 23 March 1998, and oh, how happy she is! Although gone physically from this world, her legacy of love for teaching, learning, and for all people lives on in church and school classrooms around the globe. This world is a better place. I am a better person. All in part, because of a lady who had time, talent and desire to serve her God and His people. Alice Joy Weddle had many titles but the one I will forever remember is friend. Alice Joy was my friend. Grateful for her influence.

Sherri (Harris) Ritter | Posted Sep 29, 2017 04:02 AM

Class of 1988

She truly had the gift of encouragement. When I doubted myself, she told me I could do it. I have thought of her so often over the years. When I am teaching, I sometimes wonder what Alice Joy would do.

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