Alfred Weiland

Alfred J. "Al" Weiland , 103, of Iola, Kansas, died Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Windsor Place in Iola. Al was born July 7, 1912, in Neosho Falls, Kansas, the son of John and Grace ( Bigger ) Weiland. Al became a well respected mechanic and an area dirt track racing legend. He worked on cars since he was 16 years old starting with a Model T Ford. He moved to Iola and worked at filling stations before working at automotive dealerships. Al opened his own shop at 519 East Lincoln in 1960. In 1950, Al got racing in his blood and in 1952 built a race car of his own but left the driving to others. Over the years the drivers of the familiar No. 37 included Frank Ornelas, Johnny Eccles, Willie Crane, Jack Belk, Ron Fowler, and Bob Williams. They won races and championships at tracks in the midwest from Lap Land in Gas City to tracks in Joplin, Kansas City, Topeka, Muskogee, Tulsa, and Wichita. Al built his last race car in 1975 but continued to help and watch others race. In the eighties he worked with Tom Folk and in the nineties with Rodney Sigg. Al attended races as long as his health permitted. Al served in the U. S. Army and was a veteran of WWII. He married Gladys M. Gilbert on November 11, 1942, and she preceded him in death on November 1, 1987. He was a member of Iola American Legion Post No. 15. SURVIVORS: Son: Mike Weiland and wife Irma of LaHarpe 2 Sisters: Maxine Smith of Iola and Rita Alderson of Oklahoma City 2 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Chig, Curtis, Kenneth, and Les along with 3 sisters, Florence Henderson, Eva Rawlings, and Imilda Danielson, half-brother, Chauncey, and a half-sister, Elora O'Hara SERVICES: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel with burial to follow in the Cedarvale Cemetery in Neosho Falls. MEMORIALS: Iola American Legion and they can be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel. To sign the guestbook online or to leave a condolence go to www.iolafuneral.com .