Duane Eugene Weber

Duane Eugene Weber, age 95, of Edwardsville died on February 19, 2025, at Anderson Hospital, surrounded by his family who dearly loved him.

He was born in Waukegan, Illinois on December 23, 1929, the son of Clifford and Clela (Anderson) Weber. Duane grew up in Antioch, Illinois and attended Antioch High School. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Illinois National Guard and then transferred into the US Air Force in April, 1948. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1952.

Upon discharge, he worked briefly for AT&T in Texas and the Johnson Motor Company, Waukegan, before enrolling at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. There, he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity and was awarded BS and MS degrees. While at SIUC, he met the love of his life, June, and they were married at Saint Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in East St. Louis Illinois, on September 15, 1956. In 1957, they moved to Edwardsville Illinois where he was employed by the Edwardsville school district as a speech therapist. In 1962, he was named as the district’s first state – approved Director of Special Education and served in that capacity until 1969, when he was named as Director of the newly-formed Madison County Region II Special Education Cooperative, a position he retained until his retirement in 1990. Throughout his 34-year career as an educator, in his various offices, he kept displayed a framed quote which guided him in serving the special-needs children of Region II: “May HE who has chosen to limit some of his children, guide the hands of those of us and trusted with their care”.

He was a member of the Edwardsville Lion’s Club, Phi Delta Kappa, the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children, the Association of Directors of Special Education, American Legion Post 199, and the SIUC Varsity Club. He was an avid and active sports fan, who loved the Chicago Cubs, Notre Dame football, the Chicago Bears and the St Louis Blues, as well as his SIUC Salukis. He especially loved his football, playing two years for the Scott Air Force Base Flyers and one year at SIU Carbondale. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing golf and bowling. In 2009, at the age of 79, he was one of three bowlers to bowl over 700, as his team won the Illinois State Bowling Association Title. He enjoyed playing golf with this Tuesday group and the seniors league.

Above all, though, he loved his family, including his cat Maggie who would always make his problems disappear. He also had a wicked sense of humor, which was shared with and enjoyed by all his family members.

He was a loving father and a devoted husband, who found it too painful to continue to live his life without his beloved wife June, who passed away only seven weeks ago. Our father literally died of a broken heart, and our consolation is that they are now together again, continuing to watch over our family from a heavenly perch.

He is survived by three sons, MSgt (ret), Mark Weber, of San Antonio TX, Ross (Cheryl), of Edwardsville, Karl, of Lakeland, CO, and LTC (ret), Lindsay Weber, of Edwardsville, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister.

Our family would like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful VITAS Hospice staff and the skilled and compassionate Anderson nurses who attended to both of our parents in their final days.

There will be no visitation; a family memorial graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Metro East Humane Society, and the Glen Ed Pantry.  Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.

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