John Wealand

FENTON, Mo. -- John Rodger Wealand, 65, went to his heavenly home Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016.

John was born June 30, 1951, in St. Louis, the son of the late Noel and Opal "Eileen" Wealand.

Following graduation from Special School District in 1969, John worked as a dishwasher at Ramada Inn, then at St. Louis Precision Casting Coy. He then landed his job of a lifetime as a maintenance worker for the Fenton City Parks Department, and once won a contest to name Fenton's Stonegate Park.

No child who lived in the neighborhood will forget the trailer rides he gave behind his favorite tractor. Baling hay, sawing down trees, mowing the grass and growing tomatoes were things he loved to do.

John would do anything to help anybody. After his retirement, he took great pride in volunteering at Feed My People in High Ridge, Missouri.

His last few months were a struggle, but 5-year-old Ben summed it up: "When you die, you go to live with Jesus, and living with Jesus is way funner than living on Earth." Have fun, John!

John will be sadly missed by his brother, Barry Wealand of San Jose, California; and his two sisters, Linda (Richard) Robert of Cape Girardeau and Judi Keasler of Manchester, Missouri. He was a special uncle to Tim Robert and his wife, Jessica, of Fenton and Danny Robert and his wife, Britton, of Madison, Alabama. He especially enjoyed spending time with his great-nephew and -nieces, Benjamin and Federica Robert of Fenton and Taylor Robert of Madison.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Jay B. Smith Funeral Home, 777 Oakwood Drive (at Highway 141), in Fenton. Visitation will continue from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Fenton United Methodist Church, 800 Gravois Road, in Fenton.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at St. Martin UCC Cemetery at High Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Feed My People of High Ridge or the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be shared at www.jaybsmith.com.