Donald Weber

Family and friends, we are saddened to announce that chief executive officer of the neighborhood vegetable garden, master baiter of fish hooks, and professional sports critic, Donald Edward Weber - has officially hung up his gardening gloves for the last time. He passed away on Friday, October 16th, surrounded by family - leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a highly-suspicious amount of jalapeno peppers.

Known for his legendary sense of humor and a mischievous smile that usually meant he was up to no good, Don lived life with something always in hand be it a shovel, basketball, baseball glove, fishing rod, cards or lady. He was born in Mendota, Illinois in 1940 - that's 86 years of mischief growing up with his brother Jim on the Weber family farm or dubious activities with his buddies. Ever the adventurer, he and and his wife Janet took many epic road trips with the kids to camping spots that only few would discover and no map had probably ever charted. He spent 46 years working in the printing industry - magazines, newspapers, menus, business forms...he would say you probably read a lot of his work. Don and Janet retired to North Carolina to enjoy some time by their pool with their family, watch their grandchild and the garden grow. They also continued to enjoy traveling just to travel with no longer an agenda to find their retirement state.

If you couldn't find him in the recliner, disappointed in the Bears on Sunday, White Sox or diving deep into baseball or basketball games, he could certainly be found in his garden - whispering sweet nothings to his tomato plants. His green thumb was so prolific that local neighbors came to expect the seasonal deliveries of grocery bags packed with his homegrown best. Don's heart was always with the family farm in Mendota, and he was able to show his grandchildren the land he loved so much and talk about it's legacy - something that meant a lot to him.

Above all else, Don loved his family fiercely. He'll be reunited with many family and friends along with his two children, Joel Weber and Jodi Dever - who preceded him - along with his beloved wife, Janet. We can only assume he is already challenging them to a game or telling them a spicy joke. He leaves behind his wonderful daughter, Justine Belangia, and his two absolute favorite partners-in-crime, his grandchildren Sara Weber Doyle and Colin Belangia. He cherished every moment spent teaching them the finer arts of mischief, storytelling, and how stuff works.

While the fish population in the Midwest can finally breathe a sigh of relief, the world is a much dimmer place without his smile. A celebration of his remarkably well-lived and highly entertaining life will be held on (date?) at his backyard garden with friends and family. In lieu of flowers, please go plant something, catch a fish, toss a ball or forcefully gift some tomatoes to an unsuspecting neighbor in his honor. Don wouldn't have it any other way.

It's our pleasure to also bring Don back home to Illinois - where he will be remembered at a service this coming Spring on Father's Day weekend when he is returned to the side of his wife, Janet at their final resting spot.

Per "Dazzlin" Donald Weber on his life, we offer you the words of Frank Sinatra: "I did it my way."