History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
1901
Philip F. Weber and J. E. Marks organized Marks-Weber Funeral Home. Originally the firm was known as Marks, Weber, and Co., a furniture store and funeral service firm in the 100 block of North Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois.
1925
Marks Weber & Company was reorganized in 1925. Members of the firm were Charles W. Marks, Bernard H. Weber, and Harry F. Marks. Harry and Charles Marks were brothers to J.E. Marks, and Bernard Weber was the son of Philip F. Weber, the original founders of Marks-Weber and Co.
1926
Marks-Weber Funeral Home purchased the present location at 304 North Main Street from Dr. E.W. Fiegenbaum. Pharmacist John S. Trares built the present location at 304 North Main Street between 1865 and 1870. It was designed in a fashionable Second Empire Style, imported from France. In 1891 Dr. E. M. Fiegenbaum purchased the house. Dr. Fiegenbaum conducted his medical practice in a small building facing Main Street. In it was a waiting/reception room, examining room, and room for surgery. In 1927 the building was moved to the rear of the house and is today a garage for funeral cars. Extensive remodeling was done and the funeral home opened in October of 1927. It was advertised as the first modern funeral home facility in Edwardsville.
1932
T. Hays Mallory joined Marks-Weber Funeral Home. He became a licensed funeral director in 1935 and remained with the firm until his death in 1986. Hays served as Vice President of the funeral home for many years. He was active in numerous civic organizations and served as Edwardsville Township Supervisor from 1969 until 1977.
1934
The firm was incorporated and Bernard Weber became President of the corporation.
1952
The firm name was changed to Weber Funeral Home, Inc.
1959
Philip H. Weber, son of Bernard H. Weber joined the firm and became President in 1964. A licensed funeral director and embalmer, Phil is the third generation in the family business. Phil previously taught business and drivers education for Edwardsville School District #7. Phil was a 1950 graduate of Illinois State University and served in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant during the Korean War. He was a member and Past President of the Edwardsville Jaycees, Past President of the Edwardsville Rotary Club where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served on the Board of Director of Cloverleaf Savings Bank for 35 years. Phil retired from the funeral home in 1990 and passed away August 15, 2013.
1964
Extensive remodeling was completed with the addition of a chapel.
1969
W. Edward Rodney, a native of Herrin, Illinois joined the firm as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. In 1990 he became Vice-President of Weber Funeral Home and a principal in the operation of the business.
1978
Michael D. Weber, son of Philip H. Weber and fourth generation, joined the firm as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He became President of Weber Funeral Home in 1990.
2001
Weber Funeral Home purchased the Pletcher Funeral Home at 627 St. Louis St. Edwardsville, IL. A community leader named E.M. West built the historic home in 1855. Sometime early in the 20th century the residence was sold to the Wolfe Family. In 1940 it was purchased by Edwin Schnieder, who converted it into a funeral home. In 1962 it was sold to F. Dean Pletcher. Weber Funeral Home purchased the funeral home in October of 2001.
2004
On February 1, 2004 the management of Weber Funeral Home announced the consolidation of its operations at the main funeral home at 304 N. Main Street and will be selling the Pletcher Funeral Home facility at 627 St. Louis Street. During the two years of operating the two facilities, Weber found they could accomodate the Pletcher Funeral Home families at their main location. All funeral records and prearrangements from Pletcher will be maintained and honored by Weber Funeral Home.
2007
W. Edward Rodney, a 45 year funeral director and principal in the operation of Weber Funeral Home became co-owner along with Michael D. Weber. The funeral home's name was changed to Weber & Rodney Funeral Home.
Our Valued Staff
Michael D. Weber, Funeral Director, Co-Owner
Michael D. Weber is the fourth generation of the Weber family to run the business. He is a life long resident of Edwardsville, and a 1976 graduate of EHS. He graduated from Forest Park Community College in St. Louis in 1979 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Mike has a daughter Brook Stutz & husband Chris, son Michael Weber, daughter Julia Weber, and two grandsons, Conner & Logan Stutz. He is past chairman and sponsor chairman of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Ducks Unlimited Chapter. Mike is also well known in the Midwest for his talent as a golfer, he has traveled throughout Japan and North America performing a trick shot show and long drive exhibitions since 1991. He was a 1990-Quarter Finalist in the National Long Drive Competiton & 2004 Quarter Finalist in the World Long Drive Championship Sr. Division.
W. Edward Rodney, Funeral Director, Co-Owner
W. Edward Rodney, co-owner of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home is a 1967 graduate of Herrin High School in Herrin, Illinois and Southern Illinois University School of Mortuary Science. Ed started as a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer with Weber Funeral Home in 1969. He became a principal in running the business in 1990. Ed is a Madison County Deputy Coroner and a licensed insurance producer. He is past president of the Madison County Funeral Director's Association, and has also served on the Education Committee for the Illinois Funeral Director's Association. He is a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, a life member of the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Edwardsville Jaycees, where he received the Distinguished Service Award, Keyman, and Jaycee of the Year. Ed also served on the Board of Directors of Eden Village, is a Past President of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, where he received a Paul Harris Fellowship. Ed is also a Past President of the Herrin Rotary Club. He enjoys traveling with his family and riding his Harley with his friends, trout fishing, and golf. Ed is married to Joan (Ottolini) Rodney. They have a daughter, Amanda (Husband George) Touchette, a son, Brandon, also a licensed funeral director and business partner, and grandchildren, Skylar, Hunter, & Kylie Touchette.
Brandon M. Rodney, Funeral Director, Co-Owner
Brandon M. Rodney, co-owner of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home is a 2002 graduate of Edwardsville High School. While attending high school Brandon worked at the Edwardsville Schnucks Market. Brandon then started working for Cassens and Sons in Glen Carbon until his completion of mortuary school. Brandon graduated from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park in St. Louis in 2008 with a degree in Mortuary Science. In December of 2016, Brandon was appointed a Reserve Madison County Deputy Coroner. He is the second generation of the Rodney family at Weber & Rodney after his father W. Edward Rodney. Brandon is a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Ducks Unlimited, Edwardsville Loyal Order of Moose, and the Illinois State Rifle Association. Brandon enjoys fishing, traveling, collecting historical signatures and has an immense passion for history. Brandon has been working at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home since 2003.
Jett Kennedy, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Jett Kennedy, graduated from Red Bud High School class of 2018. She furthered her education by getting her degree in mortuary sciences at Worsham college of mortuary science in Wheeling Illinois. She has been working in the funeral profession since her senior year of high school and has found her passion in caring for the deceased as well as advocating for grieving families with their best interest at heart. Jett also has a passion for animals and likes to volunteer for animal shelters when they are in need. She likes to spend her personal time painting and crocheting as well as being with her family and friends.
Michele Todd, Support Staff
Michele Todd was born and raised in Alton, Illinois and is a graduate of Marquette High School. Michele has been employed in the funeral business since 1987 & with Weber & Rodney Funeral Home since 1997. Growing up, most Sundays were spent visiting relatives in Edwardsville where her dad Hugh Lanham and his family were born and raised. Michele and her husband Raymond Todd live in Edwardsville. They have three children, Maureen Bailey of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Dr. Michael Todd of Glen Carbon, Illinois & Melissa Berman of West Bloomfield, Michigan. They have seven grandchildren. Michele is a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Michele has held numerous offices with her church and school and enjoys giving her time for volunteer duties. Her way of relaxing is singing in the church choir, cross-stitch, reading and any activity that involves family.
Raymond R. Todd, Support Staff
Raymond R. Todd was a native of Wood River, Illinois. He graduated from East Alton - Wood River Community High School in 1959. In 1964 he received a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. He was hired by National Steel Corporation and during that time acquired a MS degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Missouri - Rolla graduate center in St. Louis. During his 39 years employment at National Steel he had various positions, Hot Strip Metallurgist, Inspection and Testing Supervisor, and Senior Technical Service Metallurgist. He is married to Michele (Lanham) Todd and they have three children, Maureen Bailey of Glen Carbon, Dr. Michael Todd of Glen Carbon, and Melissa Berman of West Bloomfield, Michigan. They also have seven grandchildren, which is a hobby in itself. Other hobbies include an addiction to golf, singing in the St. Boniface Catholic Church choir and with the Collinsville Chorale. He has worked at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home since 2003.
Charlene Hackethal, Support Staff
Charlene Hackethal was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan. She is a graduate of Waterford Twp. High School and has two years of college at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. She has resided in Edwardsville since 1960. Charlene had been married to Cletus Hackethal for over 40 years until his passing on September 16, 2017. They have 4 daughters, 1 son, 6 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. All live in the area except a daughter, who lives in New Mexico. Charlene is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she is active in the Dorcas Society and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She has been employed at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home for 32 years.
Donald J. Lask, Support Staff
Donald J. Lask was born in Parma, Ohio. He is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and graduated from Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts. Don married Kathy (Knibb) Lask from Edwardsville in 1976, and both are members of St. Boniface Parish, Edwardsville. They have three children, Dr. Nikki (Ph.D.) Aitken (Brian) living in Bloomington, Illinois, who teaches at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Michael (DMD) Lask (Kyle Jebe) and Mark Lask (Katie Sheehan), both living in Edwardsville. Dr. Michael Lask practices dentistry in Vandalia, Illinois, and Mark is currently an Edwardsville Police Officer. Don and Kathy also enjoy five grandchildren of various ages. Don was hired by the Edwardsville Police Department as a police dispatcher in 1974 and became a sworn Police Officer in 1978. He served as the first D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer from 1989 to 1998, teaching in all the schools of the Edwardsville School District 7. Don was promoted to the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Major, and served two terms as Interim Chief, finally retiring in March 2013 as Deputy Chief after 36 years of service. Don is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1143 and is a recipient of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellowship Award and the City of Edwardsville Heart of the City Award. Don enjoys outdoor activities, especially fishing, hunting, and camping, and enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, now a retired District 7 special education teacher and grandchildren. Don has been part of the funeral home since 2013.
Bradley J. Heuchert, Support Staff
Bradley J. Heuchert came to the Edwardsville area in 1972, after growing up in the small town of Worden, Illinois and graduating from Worden High School. While attending Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville he gained employment as a property claims adjuster for a local insurance company. During these years, he was hired and trained as a fire fighter/first responder with the Edwardsville Fire Department. Thirty-Three years later holding various positions, from being a member of the original Honor Guard to the current title of Community Resource Officer. Brad is still active in promoting the community events of the Edwardsville Fire Department. Brad is married to Faye, and has 2 sons, Cory & Dusty and 1 daughter, Jill. His family has been blessed with wonderful, loving grandchildren. Brad and Faye were very active in starting the Feeding of the Hunger Children Program in the Edwardsville area, called TWIGS. His hobbies include golfing, fishing, and just spending time with his family.