In a life that has touched almost three centuries, Alpha Weirick has lived through two world wars, the sinking of the Titanic, the Great Depression and the advent of computers. Weirick, Warsaw, celebrated her 104th birthday March 26. She was born on that day in 1911 in Medaryville, a small farming community east of Rensselaer. Her parents were C.L. “Newt” and Anna Verelle Winters Faris, and her grandfather was a Methodist minister. When she was around age 8, her parents decided to move away from the farm to Winona Lake. She remembers these were the days of Billy Sunday, the railroad which went back into the boys camp and boarding houses everywhere. As for those boarding houses, she said, “That’s all there was.” At 9 years old, she went to work at one of them, mashing potatoes. But there was also another place she remembers, “not religious,” that hosted famous opera singers of the day, Enrico Caruso and Amelita Galli-Curci. Weirick’s memory is sharp. An injury in February caused her to take some pain medication, only over-the-counter, she explained, and up until that she fended for herself in her home, where she still lives. She needs a little help now, but is proud of the fact that her health is good and her teeth her own, with only her eyes failing. Weirick attended the East Wayne School, Winona Lake. She said teachers at Warsaw High School could always pick out those students as they used “proper grammar.” Even today, she listens carefully for correct usage. Teenage years brought driving and basketball. She started driving at 14 (and stopped at 98 because of the sight problem). At Warsaw High School, she played basketball. “The uniforms covered more back then,” she said. She also said that back then, students studied the Bible in school. She graduated in the Class of 1929 with one classmate, Owen Emerick, who later started Owen’s Market. She worked in the Jet White grocery store for six and a half years. Then she took a job at DePuy which was then on Market Street. Her left leg and left arm, “the best ones there,” were photographed for the catalogue. She left when she got married to W.R. “Bill” Wedrick on March 30, 1941. Bowling was her passion, but that caused some disagreement with her husband. Bill told her after they were married that she should give up bowling. “I’m going to bowl whether you like it or not,” she said. He gave in, bought her a new ball and shoes, and started bowling himself. She bowled in a league until 98, with a career high score of 268. Weirick remembers the war years. She was the middle child between two brothers. Her younger brother, Lieutenant Bernard W. Faris, served in Patton’s 3rd Armored Division as a scout. He was killed in France in 1944. His grave is among those in the Circle of Honor at Oakwood Cemetery. These were the years of the Interurban trolley and Tippy Dance Hall, where she saw the Dorsey band, and she remembers boating on Rochester and Winona lakes, walking into the water from the boys camp. She is also happy to say that she voted for Franklin Delano Roosevelt four times. Her husband Bill died in 1967. Ten years later she married Marvin Weirich, and she only had to change one letter of her last name. Marvin, too, died and Alpha moved in 1971 into her mother’s home, where she lives today. She doesn’t have a computer or a cell phone and never had a credit card. “Don’t get a credit card,” is the strongest advice she offers. “We got what we needed, and if we wanted anything more, we had to work extra for that.” Her activities now are working crossword puzzles, although that, too, suffers due to the macular degeneration affecting her eyesight. She likes to mow at least once a year. She loves Chinese and Mexican foods, and her produce is always fresh. She used to grow her own vegetables, so she still uses the fresh stuff – with no chemicals. Breakfast comprises six frosted shredded wheats, a clementine, a cup of cappuccino and vitamins. She is a big Colts fan and Notre Dame football and women’s basketball fan. She is looking forward to seeing the Colts win the 2016 Super Bowl. And don’t forget, she advised again, “Stay away from credit cards, and don’t buy more than you need.” Weirick thanks everyone who visited her and sent prayers, gifts and cards for her 104th birthday.
