Edward Robert (Bob) Weerts, age 93, formerly of Peru, IL, and Davenport, IA, died Monday, May 22, 2023 at his home in Colorado. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 2nd at the Wind Crest Retirement Community in Highlands Ranch, CO. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ellisfamilyservices.com.
Bob Weerts was born January 7, 1930, in Quincy, IL to Edward R. and Esther C. (Flesner) Weerts. He was the oldest of three children. The family owned and operated a funeral home and an appliance store in Golden, IL.
The summer before high school, the family moved to Peru, IL. Bob had a memorable four years attending LaSalle-Peru High School. He was only the second individual in the history of LPHS to earn 12 athletic letters (football, basketball, track and field). During his senior year, the football team took home the conference championship title, and the basketball team advanced to the state finals tournament. He placed 5th in the state in the high hurdles, and he was named to both the football and basketball All-State squads. He also served as President of the Student Council.
Bob studied Pre-Med at Northwestern University from 1948-1950 to satisfy his Pre-Mortuary Science requirements. He played basketball for Northwestern and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He graduated in 1952 from the University of Minnesota in Mortuary Science.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country during the Korean War. He did his basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky under the Engineering company. He was accepted for Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He served from 1952-1955, of which he spent 1 1/2 years in Korea. He had a great deal of responsibility as an officer and Depot Master in Korea, and he felt that he grew considerably from his experiences there. He concluded his military career as an Instructor at the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School.
After Bob’s military service, he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he became a funeral director and President of Weerts Funeral Home. The highlight of his career was serving as funeral director for actor Cary Grant, who died in Davenport, and signing his death certificate. Bob considered it a great privilege to be invited into people’s lives and homes to help them during a difficult time in their life. He was known for his professionalism, his compassion, and his honest and quiet way of serving others.
Bob often said that the best decision he ever made was marrying Karen Wuellner on August 21, 1965. They were blessed with 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-granddaughters. For many years, Bob and Karen enjoyed a cabin they built on Birch Island Lake, in northwest Wisconsin. In 1999, they sold their homes in Iowa and Wisconsin and moved to Colorado to join their three daughters and their families. They were one of the original residents or “Pioneers” at the Wind Crest Retirement Community, their much-beloved home for the past 16 years.
Bob was involved in many churches, non-profit organizations, and social clubs throughout his life. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America for 25 years. He was a founder of the Wind Crest Treasure Chest. He was a voracious reader until the day he died. He loved sitting outside on his patio, tending to his plants and yard, listening to Big Band music, and being a quiet but steadfast supporter of his wife and children.
He is survived by his wife Karen; his children Jodine “Jody” Collentine, Richard Weerts (Jeri), Elizabeth “Libby” Whitmore (Peter), and Katherine “Kitty” O’Sullivan (Kevin); his grandchildren Charlie Collentine, Sam Collentine (Jess), Ben Weerts (Julia), Ted Weerts, Oliver Weerts, Kyle Whitmore, Katherine Whitmore, Graelyn Whitmore, Lauren O’Sullivan, and Eddie O’Sullivan; and his great-granddaughters Bailey Collentine, Skylar Weerts and Adley Weerts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings James F. Weerts and Mary Sue Ann Weerts, and his sister-in-law Sandra Weerts.
Please send memorial donations to:
Wind Crest Treasure Chest
c/o Mark Taylor
3235 Mill Vista Road
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
(In honor of Bob Weerts)
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Edward Robert Weerts, visit the Tribute Store.
1
Jun
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80235
Please meet at Staging area "B" at 11:15 AM for procession to Shelter "B" at 11:30 AM.
2
Jun
3235 Mill Vista Road
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Services will be held at the Fireside Lounge.
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80235
