Anthony (Tony) Phillip Weber, age 83, of 1062 Highway M-35, Bark River, passed away Saturday, November 26 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. He had been residing at Christian Park Nursing Home for the past 3 1/2 years.
Tony was born on March 27, 1922 in W.Frankfort, Illinois. He grew up in Chicago, then went to Michigan Tech to attend college. He graduated in the spring of 1944 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Having earlier completed Basic Training, he was immediately sent to Officer Training School in Fort Belvoir, Va. He was commissioned the rank of Second Lieutenant for the US Army on July 12, 1944.
July 12, 1944 was also a special date for Tony because that is the day he married Marilyn (Joyce) Turner of Hancock. Although they shared only a brief time together before Tony was sent overseas, when he returned they enjoyed a beautiful, lasting marriage for 61 years.
Tony served in the 103rd Engineer Battalion in the European and Pacific Theaters in W.W.II. He designed bridges to aid in troop transportation. When the war ended, he was sent to the Philippines for another year. At the time of his discharge, he was a First Lieutenant and only a few days short of becoming Captain.
Tony worked for U.S. Steel in Gary Indiana and Fairless Hills, Pa. While living in Griffith Indiana, Tony’s profession was Assistant Chief Metallurgical Engineer for U.S. Steel, Gary Works. He retired in
1983. He and Joyce moved to Michigan and built their retirement home on Lake Michigan, near Escanaba. Tony enjoyed fishing and kept his mind active by working crossword puzzles. He was a former member and Treasurer of the Medicare League at the Highland Golf Club and also bowled for the league. Tony was a man of great integrity, who set high standards for himself and others. He was strong and courageous and a wonderful role model to those who knew him. Tony was a caring and loving husband, model son, and a great leader and provider for his family. He also was a quick wit and kept his family laughing with his humor.
Tony was preceded in death by his son, Anthony (Tony) Weber, Jr. in January 2005, and by his mother, Josephine Weber of Harbor Towers.
He will be missed by his loving family that includes:
Wife, Marilyn Joyce Weber, of Bark River
Daughters, Lynn (Dale) Pruitt of Valparaiso, In; and Kerry (Keith) Oldewurtel, of Grand Rapids
Grandchildren: Elizabeth (Karl) Wight, Jessica (Rob Parks) Chandler, Thomas Pruitt, Jr., Kathryn Oldewurtel, and Jackson Oldewurtel
Great-grandchildren: Clinton, Anthony and Rachel Wight and Elizabeth and Isabelle Chandler
Family also includes brother-in-law Harry (Joanne) Turner and nephew Joel Turner.
Tony