Our beloved handsome, loving husband, devoted father of three wonderful children who he was extremely proud of, and our hero, Bernard Joseph Weber Sr., 88 years old, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away of a massive heart attack at his Las Vegas, Nevada home with his wife, Delores (Dee) by his side on Friday, March 29, 2024.
Bernard (Bernie) Joseph Weber Sr. was born on August 13, 1935, at the Huckleberry Branch Homestead near the Muscatatuck River, North Vernon, Indiana to Frank L. and Barbara S. (Kline) Weber.
In 1953, he graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, Indiana; Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1960. He was involved with the Commerce Club and the Newman Club while attending Ball State University. He graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Business Management at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1963.
He enlisted in the Army during the Korean War from January 13, 1954 – December 20, 1955, and was stationed in Guam. He was an Army Corporal Specialist 2 of the Air Command of the 822nd Engineering Aviation Battalion. He oversaw building the runways for the American planes to land. He was awarded the National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Army Good Conduct Ribbon for his service. He was thrilled to go with other Las Vegas, Nevada Korean War veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. a few years ago.
On June 1, 1957, he married the love of his life, Delores (Dee) June Kamees after knowing each other since they were teenagers. They were married in a Catholic High Mass ceremony at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Huntington, West Virginia. The wedding party celebration lasted for 3 days. They honeymooned at Gatlin, Tennessee, and the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia.
They lived in many places including Muncie, Indiana; Columbus, Indiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; Goleta, California; Thousand Oaks, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bernie held many jobs while he was young. He was a car salesman at the Oldsmobile Dealership in Columbus, Indiana; a salesman/delivery person for the Canada Dry Corporation; public relations administrator for P.R. Mallory Corporation and an Electronics Corporation in Avon, Indiana; a real estate broker for the State of Indiana and Century 21 Realtors in Thousand Oaks, California; Director of Administration for the largest law firms in Indiana, Florida, and California. He was most proud of having his own businesses as he was the founder and owner of both Professional Purchasing Consultants and Professional Indexes and Files in Newbury Park, California. He was the first to have 100% recycled index tabs used in legal cases for their exhibits at all the law firms in the U.S. These businesses were extremely successful as he had major corporations purchasing from him. These corporations also included the World Wildlife Foundation and many others.
Bernie was very active in many organizations including a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks, American Legion, and the Korean War Veterans Associations. But what he was most proud of was being the Founding President of the Indianapolis, Indiana Chapter, Regional Vice President, and National Board of Director for the Association of Legal Administrators. He was the President of the Lynn Ranch North Homeowners Association, Thousand Oaks, California; YMCA, Tribe Chief for Indian Guides, Thousand Oaks, California; Cub Scout Master, Santa Barbara, California; and Sunset Heights Civic Association Director, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Bernie also served as the Indiana Volunteer Director for the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He raised tons of money by putting on a huge Radiothon in Indianapolis, Indiana. Marlo Thomas, the daughter of Danny Thomas, founder of the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee made an appearance by awarding Bernie with the Man of the Year Award. He raised more money than anyone else had at that time. Bernie also organized and put on another fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. It was called the “Pigs and Freaks” football game where the local police and local young people played. He was the first to start this fundraiser idea as many other states including Michigan continued the tradition of what Bernie started in the late 1960’s. He received a plaque and a trophy (football helmet worn by one of the players from the game).
Bernie had two passions. He loved traveling with his wonderful, loving wife, Delores of 66 years. They were avid cruisers going on over 26 cruises on various ship lines seeing many countries and touring a ton of historical places. He also loved various types of fishing including deep sea, fly, and regular fishing. He went to Mexico, Alaska, Canada, and Hawaii to fish in these cool waters enjoying his catch. His favorite was fresh bass, northern pike, and salmon. When he was much younger, he loved to go squirrel, deer, and rabbit hunting with his family. He loved dogs as he had a bull terrier named Mike when he was just 2 or 3 years old. Mike was his pal. Later in life he got a toy Manchester terrier, named Tina for his daughter, Debbie as her companion growing up. He also enjoyed bulldogs but got a Chihuahua named Tiny Tina because she only weighed 3 pounds. She was enjoyed by all the family. When he was younger, he was an active tennis player and played golf. In high school, he played football and loved it.
He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Louis, and his mother, Barbara Sophie Kline Weber. He is also preceded in death by his three sisters, Helen Marie Weber Schonfeld, Rushville, Indiana, Bernice Weber Newmister, Columbus, Indiana, Frank Louis Weber Jr., North Vernon, Indiana and Rose Weber, North Vernon, Indiana. He had many other relatives and friends which he preceded in death.
Bernie is survived by his wife, Delores (Dee) June Kamees Weber, his three children, Deborah (Debbie) Ann Weber Fleshman (husband Terry Fleshman), Noblesville, Indiana; Bernard Joseph (BJ) Weber II (wife Susan Marie Alexander Weber), Truro, Iowa and Wes Albert Weber (wife Kristi Lee Sprague Weber), Mooresville, Indiana. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will always be remembered for his wonderfully friendly demeanor with a great sense of humor. He was always loving, caring, generous and fair. He was very hard working and a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend. He never knew a stranger. He was determined to make a name for himself, which he did, and make his life for his family so much better than what he had when he was growing up in rural southern Indiana. His favorite saying was “It is the Weber Luck”.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that those who would like to express their sorrow of Bernie, please make donations in Bernard’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
He has requested no funeral service or memorial service.
Memorial Information – the family of Bernard Joseph Weber, Sr. is requesting all stories, memories and any photos as there is no limit to your submission about Bernie during his lifetime to be sent to Bernie’s daughter, Debbie Fleshman. She will be putting a “Memory Book” together since there won’t be a funeral or a celebration of life ceremony. Please send all information to:
Deborah Weber-Fleshman
ladynpink5558@aol.com
