John A. Weberski

John A. Weberski passed away on December 8, 2018 at his home near  Annapolis, Maryland at the age of 89. A native of the Illinois Valley, Jack was born in Peru, IL on June 18, 1929 to John J. and Margaret E. (Walzer) Weberski.

Private funeral services will be 12:00 PM Thursday at Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with the Very Rev. Paul Carlson officiating.  Family visitation will be 11:00 AM until time of services. Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetrty in La Salle with full military honors conducted by La Salle/Oglesby Veteran’s Memorial Group.

Jack was a graduate of St. Patrick’s Grade School and L-P Class of 1947. In 1950, Jack married Lois Ann Fitzpatrick in Ottawa, IL. They were the parents of six children. Lois died in 1983. His working career began as an apprentice member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.

As a member of the Illinois National Guard activated during the Korean Conflict, he was dispatched to Korean Penninsula where he saw combat as a platoon Sergeant on ‘Heartbreak Ridge’, was promoted to Master Sergeant, received the Combat Infantry Badge, and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Upon return from Korea, he resumed his career as a crane and equipment operator, and in 1962, was elected to the local union executive board. In 1963, Jack was appointed Business Representative for the local union.

Jack married Lorraine Lavin in 1966. In 1973, he was transferred to the Local 150 main office in Countryside, IL as Assistant to the President-Business Manager. While there, he was directed to determine the feasibility of a credit union for the membership. As a result, a charter was issued by the Credit Union Division if the Department of Financial Institutions to Local 150 IUOE Members Credit Union for which Jack served as the first Secretary-Treasurer. In 1978, then Governor James R. Thompson appointed Jack to the Illinois Board of Credit Union Advisors, an honor he held until accepting a position at the headquarters of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Washington, DC. There, Jack held several executive staff positions until his retirement as Executive Assistant to the General President.

Jack was an avid sports fan of the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, and United States Naval Academy Football. Jack was a devoted animal lover, having rescued several cats over the years, including his current cat pal “Shirley”.

Jack is survived by his children John M. (Nancy) Weberski of La Salle, David A. (Cindy) Weberski of Spring Valley, Michael P. (Jane) Weberski of Spring Valley, Steven G. (Andrea) Weberski of Peru, Barbara (James) Faletti of Spring Valley, Sharon Ford of Elgin; thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lorraine (Lori) Weberski, daughter Jeanne Rett and grandson Patrick Weberski.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Anna M. Hoscheid, Michael P. Weberski Jr., Matthew J. Weberski, Amanda R. Kusek, Steven A. Weberski, Claire L. Faletti, and Brenna M. Faletti.

Memorials may be directed to:
Illinois Valley Animal Rescue
Industrial Drive
La Salle, IL 61301

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John A. Weberski, please visit our floral store.