Evelyn Weber

URBANA – Evelyn Joyce Weber, 79, of Urbana died at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, at the Champaign County Nursing Home, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana. The Rev. Laurie Hill will officiate. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Mautz Cemetery, Dollville.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Ms. Weber was born on Nov. 9, 1928, in Pana, the daughter of John Henry and Emma Schoch Weber.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Weber of Urbana; one nephew, John Weber of Los Angeles, Calif.; and one niece, Barbara (Brian) Kelley of Tolono.

She was preceded in death by one brother.

Ms. Weber graduated from Pana High School, the University of Illinois and received her Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1961.

In 1965, she became the University of Illinois’ first woman in the Agronomy Department. Evelyn was a professor of Plant Biochemistry from 1965 to 1987, remaining the only woman member. She was a professor emerita of the U of I.

She retired as a biochemist under a joint appointment from the U of I and the USDA.

She was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Dollville, an associate member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Champaign, American Chemical Society, American Oil Chemists’ Society, Farm Bureau in Christian County, Fellow of American Institute of Chemists and served on the National Committee of Women Chemists.

Ms. Weber was an honorary member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Iota Sigma Pi, Sigma Delta Epsilon, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi and Gamma Sigma Delta.

Memorial contributions may be made to Iowa State University Foundation, John H. Weber Family Scholarship or to the University of Illinois Crop Science Department.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.