Frederick D. Weitman, Jr.

Springfield – Frederick D. Weitman, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully March 31, 2026 at his residence.

Born on September 30, 1932 on Springfield-Egypt Road in the house that we remember as Uncle Paul Weitman’s house. He grew up in Springfield and attended school at Effingham Academy where he played baseball, basketball, and track. He enjoyed playing baseball on the Mo-Ed field. He graduated in 1953 with a BS in Education from GA Teachers College (now GA Southern University) where he played baseball. He joined the GA National Guard in April of 1953.

In September of 1953, he began teaching at Rincon High School where he coached the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams. During his short teaching career, he was offered and accepted a position as the administrative assistant at the Springfield National Guard Armory and was soon promoted to Seargent where he worked until 1969. He then began a new 18-year career with the Agriculture and Soil Conservation Service where he was over Effingham County, then eventually Chatham and Bulloch counties until his retirement on October 2, 1987. He was inducted into the Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame.

He was on the Effingham Hospital Authority Board for 16 years and served as Chairman of the Board. He was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church and Sunday School where he formerly served as Sunday School Superintendent, Vice-Chairman of the Council, Chairman of the Cemetery Committee, and Chairman of the Property Committee.

Since his retirement, he has enjoyed wood-working, hunting, part-time farming, and forestry. He also enjoyed spending time at the camp and time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Daniel Weitman, Sr., and Mattye Belle Mingledorff Weitman; and his first wife, Ida Loreta Morgan Weitman whom passed on March 26, 2008.

He is survived by his second wife of 17 years, Shirley Hagin Weitman; daughters, Rene Conner (Greg) and Merry Robinson; grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda) Conner, Colby Conner, Morgan Moody (Jason), and Zachary Robinson; great-grandson, Coleman Conner; niece, Debbie Neidlinger, nephew, Dennis Webb, and a number of cousins. Shirley’s children, Carolyn Lucas (Brad), Jimmy Hagin, and William Hagin (Lori); six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Strickland funeral home, 2460 Hwy. 21 S., Rincon, GA 31326.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at Bethel Lutheran Church. Mr. Weitman will lie in state from 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be given to Bethel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1022, Springfield, GA 31329.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421.