Dwight Elmer Hershey

DWIGHT ELMER HERSHEY, age 82, of Circleville, Ohio, went to his eternal home while surrounded by his wife and children on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. He was born April 26, 1940, in Elwood, Indiana, the son of Rev. George Paul Hershey and Ruth May Gardner Hershey. Dwight was the youngest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jack Hershey, and sister, Barbara Hershey Rhymer; his granddaughter, Olivia Sue Wright; and his son-in-law, Bruce Aaron Morrison.

Dwight leaves behind his wife of sixty years, Claudette Sue Moore Hershey; children Carmen Elaine Morrison, Teresa Lynette (Bryan) Wright, and Krista Hershey (Travis) Stonerock; grandchildren Eunice, Jacob, Hannah, Victoria, and Faith Morrison, Isaac (Danielle) and Caleb Wright, and Maia and Sophie Stonerock; and many more family members, loved ones, and friends.

Dwight graduated as co-valedictorian in 1958 from Clay Township High School in Portsmouth. He graduated from the University Of Cincinnati College Of Engineering in 1963. Following graduation, Dwight moved to Circleville with his wife and began working as a Chemical Engineer at DuPont, where he was employed for over thirty years. Following retirement, Dwight served as a safety consultant for manufacturing processes and travelled throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Dwight was a member of Gideons International, a Christian association devoted to distributing God’s Word worldwide. He served as an officer in Pickaway County, the state of Ohio, and the Gideon International Convention Committee. For over fifty years, he placed Bibles around the world, including France and Ireland.

Dwight was a member of Jefferson/Crossroads Church in Circleville, Ohio. For over fifty years, he served actively in church ministry, including serving in leadership on the church board, teaching Sunday school, leading the youth ministry, serving on mission committees, and going on mission trips. Dwight also served on the Ohio Christian University Board of Trustees.

Dwight was a family man; he loved his kids and grandkids and actively participated in their lives. The grandkids would describe him as their #1 fan at almost every soccer, basketball, baseball, and football game, swim meet, track meet, dance recital, gymnastics meet, and musical performance. Dwight was always ready for a party, which might include s’mores around a campfire, endless card games, croquet, silly singing, and much laughter. More than anything, Dwight was committed to being an example of God’s love to his family and every person he encountered.

A Celebration of Dwight’s Life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Circleville Crossroads Church, 5679 Tarlton Road, Circleville, Ohio, with Rev. Lonnie Potts and Pastor Doug Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00-5:00 p.m. the same day. On Monday, April 24, there will be a private graveside service for the family at Scioto Burial Park Cemetery in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Memorial contributions are suggested to The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251; ProMedica Hospice Foundation, 444 N. Summit St., Suite 100, Toledo, OH 43604; and Circleville Crossroads Church, 5679 Tarlton Rd., Circleville, OH 43113.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wellman Funeral Home in Circleville, Ohio. Online condolences may be sent to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.