FUNERAL HELD FOR WILLIAM G. WEGER

William "Bill" George Weger, 44, died December 24th, 1995, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, from complications of leukemia. He was born June 5th, 1951, to Calvin Coolidge and Donna Mae Herzmann Weger in Oelwein, Iowa.

Bill was baptized August 13th, 1951, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Arlington, Iowa, and confirmed April 11th, 1965, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point, Iowa.

Bill, the eldest of eight children, grew up on a farm in rural Strawberry Point. He graduated sixth in his class from Starmont Senior High School in 1969. He was a member of Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, band, and Luther League. He attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating with a 3.9 grade point average.

Bill moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1971 where he began his court reporting career. In 1980, he moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he would live and work as a court reporter until the time of his death.

Bill's primary interest was in genealogy. A typing assignment on March 13th, 1965, sparked the beginning of what would later be referred as "The Golden Threads". On this date, he traced a family member back to 1841. Taking only one day, he thought "This won't be as hard as I thought". His lifetime dream was to complete the family tree of ten generations. In pursuit of this dream, Bill proudly wrote The Golden Threads, Volumes I, II, and III.

Bill's interest in genealogy and travel led him around the world. He traveled the States visiting friends and relatives. He cruised the Caribbean where he won the jackpot playing bingo. He visited relatives in Germany on three occasions, touring castles, researching libraries, and paying respects at cemeteries. He also traveled to Sweden, South America, and Jamaica.

In addition to researching the family history and traveling, Bill enjoyed many other pastimes. He played bridge weekly with his friends in Ottumwa. He also enjoyed the thrill of a good card game with his family on the holidays and going to the movie theater to see the most recent movies. His sense of humor was obvious by his large collection of "I Love Lucy" video tapes. Bill loved visiting and corresponding with friends and family, both near and afar.

Survivors include his father, Calvin Weger, Oelwein, two brothers, Robert Weger and Randy Weger, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, five sisters, Carol Weger, Cathy Weger, and Christi Weger Rink, Cedar Rapids, Cindy Weger, Oelwein, and Connie Dempsey Weger, Hazleton, Iowa, one niece, Heather Weger Ahrens, three nephews, John Weger, Michael Soper, and Nathaniel Weger, two brother-in-laws, Clete Dempsey and Dan Rink, and two sister-in-laws, Joyce Weger and Sandy Weger.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Herzmann Weger, and grandparents, Johann and Anna Andermann Weger and Erwin and Erma Kerr Herzmann.

Funeral services were held on December 28th, 1995, at 11:00 am at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point. Visitation was on December 27th, 1995, 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Roberson Funeral Home. The Reverend Peter D. Peterson officiated. Diane Schmerlzer was the organist.

Pallbearers were Clete Dempsey, brother-in-law, Dan Rink, brother-in-law, Don Serovy, friend, Dennis Pollark, friend, Tim Ahrens, nephew-in-law, and Michael Tiernan, friend.

Burial will be held in the spring of 1996 at St. Sebald cemetery, rural Strawberry Point.

A memorial fund has been established for Starmont High School media department, American Cancer Society, and American Kidney Foundation.

A special thank you to everyone who meant so much to Bill and helped to make his life complete. He holds a special place in our hearts and will be greatly missed by family and friends. May he rest in peace.