Obit: Weber, Rev. Fr. Peter F. (1882 - 1938)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Weber, Biegler, Meyer, Griffin, Hauck, Bartholme, Fries, Muehlenkamp, Koehler, Mery, Zithefer, Reding, Kaiser, Toeller, Dorenbach, Hauck, Schmidt, Kelly, Donahue, Skroch, Wasserberger, Prock, Majerus, Hofschulte, Conrad, Yungers

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 24 Mar. 1938

-Weber, Rev. Fr. Peter F. (4 Nov. 1882 - 16 March 1938)

Rev. Fr. Peter F. Weber, 55, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville for 24 years, passed away at the Sacred Heart hospital in Eau Claire Wednesday, March 16, following a long illness which had become critical two weeks previously. Father Weber had carried on courageously and cheerfully despite failing health. A number of assistants had aided in recent years, including Rev. J. A. Biegler of Carthagena, Ohio, and present acting pastor, who succeeded Rev. Emil Meyer last September.

News of the death of Father Weber was received with genuine regret, not only by the members of his own church but by citizens of Neillsville generally, who esteemed him for his kindly, tolerant and friendly spirit. For a number of years he was a member of the Kiwanis club, and always took an active interest in his church and the city he called "beloved Neillsville," where his wish to be buried was granted. During his 24 years pastorate a new $60,000 church was built in 1924, after fire destroyed the old building, and other improvements were made. For a time he conducted a parish school. One of his personal hobbies was stamp collecting. While a young man at college a number of operations compelled him to give up baseball and other sports, and he never entirely recovered his former health.

Peter F. Weber was born at Belle Chester, Minn., Nov. 4, 1882. After graduating from high school he attended college at Prairie du Chien and later completed the course at St. Francis seminary at Milwaukee, July 14, 1908, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Schwebach at the Cathedral in La Crosse. Following this he served six years as pastor at Waumandee and came from there to Neillsville, where he served until his death, dying just one day after his resignation became effective.

Two days before his death at Eau Claire Father Weber wrote a farewell message to his many friends in Neillsville, Wis. This came to late for publications last week and appears elsewhere in this issue of the Press.

The body was brought back to Neillsville Thursday, where it lay in state at the Schiller Funeral Home until Sunday afternoon, when it was taken in procession to the church, where vigils were held and many paid their last respects before and during the final services.

The pontifical requiem high mass was celebrated at 10 o’clock Monday morning, with Most Rt. Rev. William R. Griffin, D. D., auxiliary bishop of the diocese of La Crosse as celebrant. The Rev. Joseph L. Hauck, a former pastor here, delivered the funeral sermon. Rev. John. W. Bartholme of Wabasha, Minn., was deacon; Rt. Rev. Msgr. C. J. Weber (brother) of Superior, arch-priest; Rev. C. A. Fries of Fountain City and Rev. A. E. Muehlenkamp of Athens, deacons of honor; Rev. Hugo Koehler of La Crosse, master of ceremonies, assisted by Rev. Peter Meyer of Hurley, Rev. Aloys Zithefer of Loyal was cross bearer. The Monsignors present, besides Rt. Rev. C. J. Weber, were Rt. Rev. Wm. Reding of Wisconsin Rapids; Rt. Rev. J. L. Kaiser of Chippewa Falls; Rt. Rev. Henry Toeller and Rt. Rev. A. J. Dorenbach, both of Marshfield, and Rt. Rev. J. B Hauck of Wausau.

About 70 Catholic clergymen in all were present, and the names of those not given above appear elsewhere. The ladies of the church prepared and served a special dinner for the clergymen in the basement of the church.

Following the requiem mass, the sermon by Rev. J. L. Hauck and the last offices of the church, interment took place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The church was packed to overflowing by the many who had come to pay honor to Father Weber’s memory. Business places in the city were closed as a mark of respect from 10 to 11 o’clock. Members of the C. O. F. and K. of C’s attended the funeral in a body.

The pallbearers were Frank Schmidt, Thomas Kelly, James Donahue, Paul Skroch, Henry Wasserberger and Linus Prock.

Rev. Peter Bartholme of Rochester, Minn., officiated at the grave.

Rev. J. A. Biegler, acting local pastor, was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Father Weber is survived by two brothers and six sisters, as follows: Rt. Rev. Msgr. C. J. Weber of Superior; Steve Weber of Harvey, N. D.; Mrs. Katherine Majerus of Belle Chester, Minn.; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Hofschulte, and Susan, Mrs. Wm. Hofschult, both of Mazeppa, Minn.; Anna, Mrs. Joe Hofschulte, of Zumbro Falls, Minn.; Mary, Mrs. Michael Conrad, and Margaret, Mrs. Matt Schmidt, both of Harvey, N. D, also many nieces and nephews, including Rev. Steve J. Majerus of Blooming Grove, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Nick Yungers of Goodhue, Minn., who attended the funeral.