Search by Name

Search by Name

DeWitt Weary Jr.

1933 - 2013

DeWitt Weary Jr. obituary, 1933-2013, East St. Louis, IL

BORN

1933

DIED

2013

DeWitt Weary Obituary

DeWitt Weary Jr.

DeWitt Lee Weary Jr., of East St. Louis, Ill., born Oct. 1, 1933, was called home from time to eternity on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013.

DeWitt was born to the union of Mr. DeWitt Lee Weary Sr. and Mrs. Rebecca E. Weary, nee Haywood. He was the oldest of three children born to this union.

He was preceded in death by both parents; two sisters, Mrs. Faye (Weary) Jackson and Mrs. Nell (Weary) Thompson-Bufford; and two nieces, Mrs. Sharon (Weary) Wayne and Ms. Angela Jackson.

Mr. Weary received his education at Hughes Quinn Jr. High and Lincoln Senior High School. He earned his bachelor's degree at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and a master's degree from Webster University. He was employed for over 30 years with District 189 as a social studies teacher. He worked for the American Federation of Teachers, unionizing teachers in school districts all over the Midwest. His organizational expertise consolidated the contract efforts of the two major teacher unions in St. Louis, Mo., the National Education Association, NEA and the American Federation of Teachers, AFT, to overcome strike busting tactics. This led his peers to elect him twice President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Local 1220, once in the early 1970's, and again in the early 1980's. Dewitt Lee Weary Jr. was instrumental in innovations such as the 12 months paid salary for school teachers. After a long strike in fall of 1981, he had negotiated the highest pay increase of any teachers' contract to this day in District 189. He remained a popular history teacher until the time of his retirement.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Mrs. Doris (Darwyn) Woodhouse, of Swansea, Ill.; son, Mr. DeWitt Lee (Tamarra) Weary, III of Columbia, Ill.; six grandchildren, Darwyn Jr., Dane, Dominique, DeWitt IV, Alexandria and Hubert Deavit; four nieces, Pamela (Gaylen) Wilson, Rita Ward, Nita Jackson and Phyllis (Terry) Busey; four nephews, Phillip Thompson, Gary Thompson, Todd Jackson and William Thompson, Jr.; his beloved cousin, Marsha; a host of other relatives and a very special loving companion, Ms. Grace James.

www.serenitymemorialchapel.com

Visitation: Visitation was held Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at the Serenity Memorial Chapel, 8501 West Main Street, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services are scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at the Unity Lutheran Church, 4200 Caseyville Avenue, East St. Louis, Ill. Interment services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Mo.

SERENITY MEMORIAL CHAPEL, Belleville, Ill.

Published by Belleville News-Democrat on Nov. 15, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for DeWitt Weary

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

Laura Brooks

November 17, 2013

I had Mr Weary as a history teacher at Rock Jr high. He was a great care g teacher. RIP

Laura Weary Brooks

November 17, 2013

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Make a Donation
in DeWitt Weary's name

Memorial Events
for DeWitt Weary

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support DeWitt's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor DeWitt Weary's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more