John R. Weimer Jr.

Lt. Col. John R. Weimer Jr (retired) of Bailey, Colo., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, after a lengthy illness. He was born on Dec. 31, 1940, to John R. Weimer Sr. and Emma Jane (Leighty) Weimer in Connellsville, Pa.

John grew up in Akron, Ohio, and lived there until he joined the Air Force at the age of 18.

Airman Third Class Weimer began his military career as an enlisted man in 1959 at Lackland AFB, San Antonio Texas, completed Aviation Cadet Navigator training in 1962, Electronic Warfare training in 1963, and the Pilot Training Program in 1968. He was a C-141 Transport pilot from February 1969 to April 1970, at which time he attended USAF Conversion Pilot training (helicopter) F-V5F/E. He completed HH53B/C Helicopter SATS training in 1970. He was a HH-53C Helicopter Rescue Aircraft Commander in Da Nang, South Vietnam from October 1970 to October 1971 and April to May 1972. John was stationed at Minot, N.D., with the 91st Combat Support Group (Strategic Air Command) from December 1973 to April 1975.

Captain Weimer was awarded two Silver Star medals for gallantry in action in February 1971 and May 1972.  He was also awarded two USAF Distinguished Flying Cross medals for heroism while participating in aerial flight in January and March 1971.  He went on to become a Lieutenant Colonel in August of 1978. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Service from December 1977 to November 1980.

One of John’s favorite things was singing in the church choir and on the Praise Team.  He worked as a volunteer at the Billy Graham Crusade in Denver and made several mission trips to Mexico, Africa and Jerusalem with his church.

John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Beth Ann Weimer of Bailey, Colo.; three children: Catherine Murray, Rosarito Beach, Mexico, Donna Weimer, Waveland, Miss., and Gloria Steele, Tampa Fla.; five stepchildren: Annette Bixler, Mt. Wolf, Pa., Abby Ullman, Manchester, Pa., Renae Mundis, Thornton, Colo., Rebekah Lurtz, Thornton, Colo., and Gretchen Reynolds, Cedaredge, Colo. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  John is survived by one brother, Lloyd Weimer (Dolores), Akron, Ohio; three sisters: Doris Palmer (Lee), Bushnell, Fla., Shirley Barnes, Tallmadge, Ohio, and Karyle Harper, Southside, Ala.; five nieces and seven nephews.

A military funeral will be held at Ford Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo., on Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. A celebration of John’s life will follow, with his Pastor Larry Kalb, at his home at 779 Pine Hollow in Bailey at 12:30 p.m.

He will be sadly missed by all his family, friends and community.