Obituary for Lee Weber

Elmer Lee Weber

(August 13, 1917 – January 25, 2017)

Elmer Lee Weber, in the middle of his 100th year of life, died January 25, 2017 at Ponca City Hospital. He was born in Newkirk, Oklahoma on August 13, 1917, youngest of the 13 children of Lena Brazier and Adam Weber. His mother’s death when he was still a toddler affected him deeply throughout his life.

Lee was raised in Newkirk and Ponca City by his father and sisters. In 1941 he eloped with Mary Jane Stingley, daughter of longtime Osage County ranchers Elmo and Nora Stingley. Lee’s extraordinary life led him and Mary on a variety of business ventures, starting with a small electric shop in 1940’s downtown Ponca City. They later lived in Wichita, then in Colorado, before buying a commercial cherry orchard in Dallas, Oregon. On Mary’s retirement they moved to Branson, Missouri. In addition to his many businesses, Lee worked at various times as a pipe fitter (CONOCO), electrician, plumber, salesman, and cattleman. He was truly one of a kind, and capable in so many ways. Lee and Mary last resided in San Antonio where she died in 2003. Lee returned to his beloved Osage County, buying a farm remembered from his youth as having a stone springhouse and “the prettiest sunset ever.” He loved his neighbors and appreciated their camaraderie, assistance with heavy lifting around the farm, and their frequent gifts of foods he enjoyed.

Lee was a crackerjack poker player and won many on-line tournaments. He could fish with the best of them, angling for salmon in Oregon just last year. He shot the head off a rattlesnake a couple of years ago when it dared to invade his yard. He could tell the best jokes, often chuckling so hard he could barely get out the punchline.

Lee and Mary raised seven children: Marilee (Mike) Camblin, Portland, OR; Patsy Stuke, Lenexa, KS; Carole Bennett, San Francisco, CA; Janet (Leon) Storck, Chanute, KS; Joyce (Frank) Collins, Lenexa, KS; Jean Collins (Denise M.), Wichita, KS; and Michael (Linda) Weber, Dallas, OR. Lee was grandfather to 19 grandchildren (two of whom predeceased him) and 35 great grandchildren. His first great-great-grandchild will be born in March.

Services will be held at Trout Funeral Home on Saturday, February 11th, at 10 am. Lee will be buried beside his wife in Newkirk Cemetery. After interment, friends may join the family at the McCord Senior Center, 115 Mary Road. The family suggests donations to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org ).

Source: Trout Funeral Home