The Light At A. W. Rich Funeral Home Is On For John Pyorala

WELDON JOHN CHARLES PYORALA

Jeffersonville - Weldon Pyorala, age 55, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on May 22, 2008.

Weldon was born on November 27, 1952 in Laurium, Michigan, the son of Hilda (Waarala) and the late Arvid Pyorala. He grew up on a dairy farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and was proud of being a “Yooper.” In 1968, he moved with his parents to Lake Worth, Florida where he met his future wife, Kathryn Farnham formerly of Danville, VT. After completing a semester of college, he purchased a gas station which he successfully sold in 1973. He then dug graves for a while and on August 17, 1973, he married the love of his life – Kathryn Elizabeth Farnham.

Weldon attended Palm Beach Junior College and, after his graduation in 1976, he and Kathy traveled around the United States in their pop-up camper. Weldon then attended the University of Florida, receiving the Burke Marketing Research Fellowship upon graduation in 1978. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he received his MBA from the University of Cincinnati while working full-time for Burke Marketing Research. In 1980 he and Kathy moved to St. Louis where he worked for Monsanto in the Agriculture division and then to Cleveland, Ohio where he was the head of Marketing Research for Leaseway Transportation. In 1987, Weldon and Kathy moved to Jeffersonville, Vermont to raise their children. Their business, All Seasons Work & Play, was destroyed by a fire in 1998. When Weldon and Kathy resurrected their business from the ashes, they built All Seasons Homestead Helpers a successful heating business as well as a home and garden website company. In 2007 they started Best Products which manufactures the Squeezo Strainer.

Weldon, a very active civic member, served on boards for the Smugglers Notch Snowmobile Club, Chamber of Commerce and Second Congregational Church of Jeffersonville. He enjoyed helping with school basketball and baseball games by refereeing, umpiring and running the time clocks. After fire destroyed the 2nd Congregational Church of Jeffersonville, Weldon served as co-chair of the rebuilding committee.

He is survived by his wife and sole mate of 38 years, Kathy, his sons, Gregory of Chicago, Illinois and Benjamin of Jeffersonville, mother Hilda (Waarala) Partio, and sisters and brother in laws, Jo-Anne and Leonard Danielsen, and Marilyn and Jim Murphy, all of Madison, Wisconsin. He also leaves his sister- and brother-in-laws Barb and Russ Hokanson, and Bob and Jane Farnham, as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews aunts and cousins. His special cats Spot and Tom.

He was also predeceased by his step father Vilho Partio, and sister and brother-in-law, Carole and Cliff Hanninen.

Weldon will be remembered for his passion for boating where he had many interesting experiences and relaxing, wonderful times with a great bunch of friends. The 3 P’s will never be forgotten. He always tried to enjoy life, making friends and wonderful memories wherever he lived or traveled.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 1 pm, at the 2nd Congregational Church in Jeffersonville with the Reverend Peggy Tooker officiating. Inurnment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Weldon’s memory to the Jeffersonville 2nd Congregational Church Pastor’s Discretionary Fund (helping local families in need) P O Box 40, Jeffersonville, 05464, or the Cambridge Rescue Squad, P O box 431, Jeffersonville, 05464. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel, 1176 Main St. Fairfax, VT 05454.