John Weller

It is only from the perspective of time that we can see the true measure of a man. John Weller was a man of great strength and courage, yet he was a loving and generous man, whose compassion knew no bounds. He was a good provider for his family, yet he found little value in material things. And he was quick to see the needs of others, but never quick to judge. More than anything though, John was a loving family man who committed every day of his life to being the best husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather he could be.

In the year 1921, places like Grand Rapids, Michigan were on the way to becoming bustling cities as prosperity paved over fields and buildings sprouted up taller than the mightiest oaks. Young companies like Steelcase furniture were revolutionizing the business landscape in the city and improving the lives of workers like John Weller Sr. . For John, however, life needed little in the way of improvement that year as he and his wife, Mary (McGill), were anxiously awaiting the birth of their third child. At last, on June 18th, the couple welcomed a baby boy, whom they named John.

While the roaring twenties had a lot to offer a growing family like the Weller’s, a rough road lay ahead for the family and for their country. As the end of the decade neared, the family’s home on Calvary Street NW was filled with children including John, his older sister Catherine, older brother Henry, and younger sister Cecilia. His younger sister Norma died at a very young age and when John was just nine years old, his mother and youngest sibling died during childbirth. Young John often found enjoyment and an escape listening to radio shows.

The Weller’s were members at St. James Catholic church and, growing up, John and his siblings attended St. James Elementary School. John later attended Catholic Central High School before leaving school after his junior year to enter the workforce. For those who had witnessed the hardship of the Depression Era, sacrificing your own needs for the needs of your family hardly seemed like a sacrifice at all. As a child, John’s sister had lent him 50 cents to get a tooth repaired, which he worked hard to pay back, and as a young man, John was going to work to support his family in their time of need. He took jobs as an ash hauler, a railroad worked, and even as a caddie at Gracewell Country Club. At one point during his teenage years, he used $18 of his hard-earned money to buy a model T car.

In the early 1940s, America entered World War II and, seeing the need for young men, John decided to enlist in the United State’s Army. For four years he was a proud member of the 8th Air Force 100th Bomber Group (known as “The Bloody Hundredth”), stationed at Thorpe Abbotts air base in England. When John returned home from the war, he began dating Alice Hopkins, the sister of a close childhood friend. After a year long courtship, John and Alice were wed on April 19, 1947 at St. James Church. Following the wedding the couple spent a romantic honeymoon on the bay at Traverse City in Northern Michigan.

In 1949, life could not have been any better for the young couple. John was working at Hayes Body Shop, while Alice awaited the birth of the couple’s first child at their newly built home on Calvary Street NW. On March 22nd, the same day John began a new career as a cement mason, Alice gave birth to a daughter named Donna. Five years later on May 10, 1954 they welcomed their second child, a son name Michael.

While some men might shy away from the enormous responsibility that comes with being a father, John reveled in his new role. He was genuinely nurturing and loving when it came to his children. Just like their father, both Donna and Michael attended church at St. James and started school at St. James Elementary. For more than ten years the family lived near his childhood home on Calvary NW, until 1960 when John moved his family to 11th Street NW, before building their third and final home at 1411 Covell Avenue NW.

Although John was a generous man when it came to his time, he was generally quite frugal when it came to money. He could appreciate a good garage sale and never saw the attraction of shopping malls. In fact, he spent the day at the Mall of America and parted only with one single dollar, which he spent on rubber bands. John was also resourceful and talented when it came to working with his hands. When he retired at age 65, he began creating beautiful stained glass pieces including birdhouses, lamps, and pictures, which he gave as gifts to all he knew. He also did a good deal of woodworking, making many handcrafted toys for his grandchildren.

In retirement John found many ways to relax and unwind. He liked to go fishing in both the summer and winter months with his brother-in-law and son, Michael, at Michael’s home on a lake. He also enjoyed reading history novels, particularly those about World War II, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and eating some good home cooking. His favorites were baked potatoes and creamed corn, and he never met a pie he didn’t like.

With the exception of his family, John’s greatest joy in life was helping others. About 15 years ago John volunteered to pass out oranges and bananas to residents during an event at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He valued that experience so much, he returned to work on a couple of wheelchairs in need of repair. In the years that followed, John went back time and time again to fix other wheelchairs. He had found a way to give back to his community and fellow veterans in a way that provided some much needed transportation for people in need.

In the summer of 2007, John was experiencing back pain and decided to visit his doctor. Tests revealed that his pain was caused by an inoperable tumor in his stomach. Learning that treatment would diminish his quality of life, John bravely accepted his fate without fear or regret. If all it took to cure cancer was incredible strength and courage, John would certainly be with us today. As it was though, John died at 4:35 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2007, with his family at his side. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him

Mr. John Weller aged 86 of Grand Rapids, passed away at his home Saturday morning, August 25, 2007, with his loving family at his side. John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice Weller (Hopkins); his children, Donna and Jim Stambaugh, Michael and Arlene Weller; his grandchildren, Tony (Dorenda) Stambaugh, Jason (Mollie) Stambaugh, Adam (Jennie) Weller, Joseph Weller, Samuel Weller; 7 great grandchildren; his sister Cecilia Dales; his brother-in-law, Dan Hopkins; special nieces, Barbara Domanski, Eleanor (Thomas) Bereza, Mary (William) Holmes; other nieces, nephews and many friends.

A service to celebrate John’s life will be held at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends may meet his family on Monday from 6-9 p.m. Contributions in his memory may be made to Grand Rapids Home for Veterans or In House Hospice Solutions. To leave your own memories of John and sign his guest book, please visit John’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com