Christopher Weir
Maryville |
Christopher Joseph Weir, 57, of Maryville, IL kept true to form and left the party without saying goodbye on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
Chris was born on February 7, 1964, in East St. Louis, IL to Brian and Cecilia “Cece” Weir, a proud union electrician and a devoted homemaker, respectively. The love, support, and values of the Weir and Peskar/Luksza families provided fertile ground in which Chris grew into a compassionate man with a one-of-a-kind personality.
After graduating from Rosary High School (St. Louis) in 1982, Chris joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Yorktown CG-48. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned home and was accepted into IBEW Local Union 309 (Collinsville, IL) as an apprentice wireman, following in the footsteps of 4 generations of electricians—but it was no secret that he dreamed of picking up the headphones at K-SHE 95 as “C.J. the D.J.” On June 18, 1993, he came to his senses and married his high-school friend Kathy Henderson, surrounded by hundreds of friends and family members at a reception where guests of all ages packed the dance floor. Despite that legendary celebration resulting in a toppled wedding cake (“just grab a fork and have a bite of anything that didn’t hit the floor!”) Chris and Kathy’s relationship was solid from the start. The love and respect they held for each other was obvious to all and constant throughout their marriage of 28+ years.
In 1997, Chris began the next phase of his life when he became a dad. Fatherhood was Chris’s favorite job of all, and he was excellent at it. He often said to expecting parents, “After that baby is born, your life will never be the same and you’ll wonder how you ever lived before.” His love of music (“Name the song AND the artist”), enthusiasm for St. Louis sports (his first son was almost ‘Kurt Warner Weir’), and ability to light up a room will live forever in his 3 kids: Lauren Chavaux Cecelia, Ian Gallagher, and Kellen Peskar. Chris and Kathy created a loving and fun home where all are welcome.
In March 2021, Chris retired as Local 309’s Assistant Business Manager and Member of the Apprentice Board. As an ardent advocate for workers’ rights, he never missed the annual Labor Day parade in Belleville, attended any Labor event that didn’t conflict with a family obligation, and steadfastly encouraged young people struggling with career choices to consider the trades because unions “teach you how to do the work right” and with membership comes the ability to earn a dignified wage and good benefits. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus at Mother Perpetual Help Catholic Church, where he enjoyed volunteering during Lenten fish fries and catching up with all the families with whom his children attended elementary school.
Chris was a Family Man to the core, and he considered everyone family. He was always the first to lend a hand and put the needs of others before himself. He was the master of diffusing a tense situation with humor and always had a joke up his sleeve to make you smile. His sense of humor, kind heart, and natural teaching ability left a lasting impression upon anyone who crossed his path. In keeping with Chris’ loving and generous spirit, his final compassionate act was electing to save the lives of his fellow man through organ donation.
Chris is already dearly missed by his loved ones, who now celebrate the fact that “One-More-Beer Weir” is now partying in Heaven with half the Beatles; his grandparents, Joe Weir Sr., Ann P. (Gallagher) Weir, and Fred & Rose Peskar; father-in-law, Ken Henderson; brother Brenden Weir; brother-in-law, Jimmy Henderson; and niece, Keiley Weir.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Henderson-Weir of Maryville, IL; children, Lauren, Ian, and Kellen Weir; his parents, Brian and Cece Weir of Glen Carbon; four brothers, Brian Weir of Belleville, Nick (Katy) Weir of Roswell, GA, Killian Weir of Fairmont City, and Ted Weir of Carlsbad, CA; two sisters, Shannon Gittemeier of Glen Carbon, and Maureen (Kevin Flynn) Weir of Edwardsville; brothers & sisters in-law, Dan Henderson of St. Louis, Karen (Gregg) Hangge of Longmount, CO, and Angela Weir of Las Vegas, NV; nieces and nephews, Kristina & Andy, Taylor, Joe, Andrew, Ben & Ally, Jake & Epona, Luke, Bridget-Ann, Chip, Erin, Nick Jr, Bridget-Rose, Josh & Shea, Sam, Matt & Natalie, Riley, Brendan, Sean; Joe & Lisa, Jill & Chris, Jon & Lauren, and Jacob & Lena; 12 great nieces & nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A public visitation will be held from 4-8 pm on Tuesday, October 26 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL. In honoring Chris’s laid-back, sports-loving personality, the family encourages visitors to wear STL sports team apparel and/or comfortable clothing. Due to current state restrictions masks are required to be worn.
Funeral Mass will be held at 12:30 pm Wednesday, October 27 at Mother Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Maryville, IL. Interment will be immediately following at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, MO.
In lieu of sending flowers, making a memorial gift to IBEW Local 309, ' the Weir Memorial Scholarship Fund, will help fulfill Chris’s passion for promoting the trades and supporting his IBEW Brothers and Sisters in need. Memorials will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com
Barry Wilson Funeral Home & Cremation Services
