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Joseph David "Joe D." Weis, Jr., 85, was called home to be with the Lord on July 24, 2014. He passed away peacefully at the Weis/Yantis homestead in Zachary, LA. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Joseph (Jodie) David Weis, Sr., Lillie Loudon Weis Yantis, Harold Fredrick Yantis, Sr., his brother-in-law, Charles Abbott, Sr. and his granddaughter, Mercy Weis. He was a native of Zachary, Louisiana, and had also lived in Taylorsville, Kentucky, and Campinas, Brazil, prior to returning to Zachary 22 years ago. He grew up in West Lake, LA and lived on a rice and cattle farm with two brothers and one sister. In Joe's words "Those were wonderful years with mom, dad, sister, brothers, cows and horses". He was a country-boy through and through. He graduated from West Lake High School in 1945. Joe attended LSU from 1947 until 1949. On December 6th, 1960 he committed his life fully to the Lord. In his words, "Do whatever you want with me, Jesus". He joined the US Army June 6th 1951 as a 1st Lieutenant and saw combat action during the Korean War. After returning from the war, he married Betty Young Zimmerman and they resided together until 1975. He was a share crop farmer for Colonel Huling and started a family while living in the Plains area. He was very active in the Plains Presbyterian Church while living in Zachary. As an elder in the church, he would substitute preach for vacationing ministers in the surrounding communities. Joe left full time farming in 1957 and worked at Copolymer Rubber in Baton Rouge until 1967. He also served as assistant scoutmaster in Troop 72 and also Troop 272 where he enjoyed camping and being a leader in Boy Scouts. During a short transitional time, he was a salesman for Yantis Arc Weld and Tractor Supply in Zachary. In 1970, Joe became a veterinarian supply salesman for Cutter Laboratories which moved him and his family to Taylorsville, KY. He enjoyed organic gardening. He provided home grown vegetables and beef for his family. He liked the rolling hills and people of Taylorsville, KY. After living there for 2 years, Cutter Labs wanted to move Joe and his family to Alabama. Instead of uprooting his family again, he resigned from Cutter Labs. He became a company representative for Dairymen, Inc., with offices in Louisville, KY. In this position, Joe visited over 200 different dairy farmers helping them improve the quality of milk. He was active in the local community in many ways. He played a lead role in the 1974 Spencer County Bicentennial Celebration as an event coordinator and as an actor in the nightly play. He served two terms as President of the Taylorsville High School PTA. He was the scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts Troop in Taylorsville, KY. He was active in a jail ministry in Kentucky and developed his own biblical teaching series on cassette tape. During the winter of 1981, he resigned from Dairymen, Inc. to pursue the Lord's calling to go teach in Brazil. He arrived in Brazil with two suitcases and began 6 months of intensive language and cultural school. Joe became fluent in Portuguese and soon began leading Bible study groups and preaching sermons. He met and married Thereza Bayma. In 1983, he began building a church in Campinas, Brazil. Joe laid the stonework walls to support the ceiling truss. He completed the building Evangelical Church of Jesus the Christ. He also taught other men how to lead church services. Upon his return to Zachary, in 1992, he devoted the rest of his life to raising his second family and serving the Lord. He was pastor of Southern Methodist Church in Baton Rouge for 11 years. His jail ministry Prison Fellowship, Praise The Lord, conducted various services at Allen Correctional Center, Clinton, Washington Correctional, Angola, Pine Prairie, and both Avoyelles and Adams County jails in Mississippi. Special recognitions include: Service Award from Dairymen, Inc.; Certificate of Merit from Dept. of Corrections in KY and President's Award from Old Kentucky Home Council Boy Scouts of America. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Thereza Bayma Weis; four sons, J. D (Julie) Weis of Lexington, KY, David Weis of Germantown, TN, Major Alexandre (Haven) Weis of Ft. Campbell, KY, and D.J. (Elaine) Weis of Clinton, MS; one daughter, Karen Weis (Rick) Nation of Taylorsville, KY; one sister and two brothers, Alna Abbott, Harold (Nan) Yantis, and Loudon (Rose Mary) Yantis, all of Zachary; fifteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be at 2 pm, Sunday, July 27th, at Olive Branch Baptist Fellowship Church, 1290 Highway 67, Slaughter, LA 70777. The family will receive visitors starting at 1pm and after the service until 5pm. Pastor Rusty Bowser will deliver the eulogy. In Dad's words, "Material things don't mean much, being a friend of Jesus is so much more important" (see John 15:12-15). In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to The Jesus Film Project; http://www.jesusfilm.org/donate or call 800-918-9929. Arrangements by Charlet Funeral Home, 4320 High Street, Zachary, LA 70791, 225-654-4480.
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My thoughts and prayers were with all The Family today. I had such a nice visit with Joe in September. Thanks Dave. We got to catch up with all the family news and to remember the old days. Eva Fair
July 27, 2014
My thoughts and prayers were with all the family today. I so treasure the visit I had with Joe in September. We had such a good time remembering the old days.
July 27, 2014
We are sorry to learn of the passing of our dear friend, Joe Weis, but rejoice in the knowledge that he is home with his Savior whom he loved and for whom he ministered for many years. He was a special person to me when I came into the Southern Methodist Church. It was Brother Joe who was conducting the service of worship the first time I visited in the First Southern Methodist Church of Amite where I now serve as pastor. May God bless you during these trying days.
--Darwin & Judy Brecheen
Judy and Rev. Darwin Brecheen
July 27, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I'm so glad that Dave took Mom, Anne and I to see Uncle Joe last fall. I too remember thinking he looked like Abraham Lincoln. Lots of wonderful memories. Love you all
DeLea Fair-Taylor
July 26, 2014
We loved and respected Bro. Joe for his untiring work for the Lord. We will never forget him. He always gave of himself to everyone who needed to hear the words of Christ. His devotion to the Prison Ministry gave him the most pleasure in serving the Lord. We know that he touched many and changed their life's path. We are certain he is with his Lord and Savior and forever praising Him and blessed in his Salvation.
Gene and Li na Senat
July 26, 2014
I have always loved my Uncle Joe. As children, Artie, Brett, Bart and myself,loved the fact that Uncle Joe had to duck his head down to walk into our home, because he was so tall. We also thought he looked like Abraham Lincoln and that was pretty special. Not many children have an uncle that looks like Abraham Lincoln. We had wonderful times growing up and visiting with Uncle Joe, Aunt Betty, Jodie, Dave and Karen. I can still remember when I would spend the night with Karen. Uncle Joe would always have a devotion with us before bed time. I also have many wonderful memories of visiting his Mother's home in Zachary. She was a blessing to me also. The Weis/Yantis home always seemed so far out in the country, but Zachary has just grown and developed, right up to the front door. He has wonderful siblings and family members. I have so enjoyed visiting with Thereza. She is truly a wonderful, loving, talented lady that loved Uncle Joe dearly. Thanks for the memories, Uncle Joe. Thanks for loving me all these years. May all of his family and friends remember him as fondly as I have.
Carol Zimmerman Dixon Oglesby
July 25, 2014
I know my dear brother is shouting around the throne and so happy to be in the presence of his dear LORD JESUS. I will miss him and long for the time when we will be reunited in HEAVEN
Herman Middleton
July 25, 2014
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Charlet Funeral Home, Inc., Zachary, LA4230 High Street, Zachary, LA 70791
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