Virginia Weiker was named 2023’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Fayette Board of Education Wednesday night. Mrs. Weiker died in January, and the award was accepted by her daughters, Sherri Dobson, Sandra Miller, and Susan Selway during a ceremony held in the high school gym.

Each year the board selects one person who has been a dedicated servant to the community and school district. Mrs. Weiker was a longtime teacher at Daly Elementary and served as a substitute teacher for many years after her retirement. Following her passing, her family raised money in her name that benefitted lunch accounts of needy Fayette students.

“Mrs. Weiker was a local treasure of this community,” said Fayette Superintendent Brent Doolin. “She was fierce and loving at the same time. She gave of herself and served our district until the very end and is still serving the district through funds raised in her honor to help cover meal costs for students in need. She is missed beyond measure and loved by so many.”

A 1954 graduate of Fayette High School, Mrs. Weiker later earned a degree in music education from Central Methodist College. She spent her entire career in elementary education, influencing and teaching countless children. 

In 1971, she began teaching at Midway. Her teaching journey then led her to New Franklin, where she taught for 24 years. Toward the latter part of her education career, Virginia taught in the Fayette school district, where she continued to serve in retirement as a substitute teacher until the time of her death.