Donald Weir, 95

Donald Richard Weir passed away on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at the Marshfield Care Center.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshfield, Wis. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 29, in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls, Wis.

Donald was born June 24, 1915, to Richard and Ethel (Green) Weir in River Falls. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minn., where he was educated and attended Minneapolis South High School where he excelled in basketball, ice-skating, and being the pace setter for long distance races. He spent summers caddying at golf courses in the Twin City area. In the 1930s his family moved to Mille Lacs Lake, Onamia, Minn., where he graduated from Onamia High School. Don worked with his family in the resort business and became a professional fishing guide on Mille Lacs Lake and was known for his "Persian Horse Hair Leader, finer than silk, stronger than steel, invisible in water with an automated spring catch." During World War II he became associated with the U.S. Engineers and was located at Astoria, Ore. When he returned to Minnesota he joined his family in the resort business.

On May 1, 1945, he was married to Joyce Chapman by the Reverend Fred Stever at Mizpah Congregational Church in Hopkins, Minn. They lived in Onamia and Aitkin, Minn., and spent winters in Arizona where he was in the construction business.

In 1949 they moved to Marshfield where Don was a consignee for the Texas Co. (Texaco). They purchased the bulk plant and distributorship, which became Weir Oil Co., and sold Texaco and Phillips 66 products. He operated the business for 37 years when he sold it to Vern Baltus.

Don was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he had served on the Board of Trustees and Pastor-Parish Committee. He ushered with Karl Schmidt at the 8 a.m. service for many years. He also was a member of the Elks Lodge and a charter member of the Westview Country Club (now River Edge). His lifelong love was the outdoors, fishing and hunting in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Don was a golfer and a great fan of high school athletics. He always said, "There is no better entertainment than high school sports."

Don survived by his wife, Joyce; his sister, Dorothy Owen of River Falls; nieces, Carol (Bill) Tate of Milan, N.M., and their children, Wendy (Claire) Dusek of Roberts, Wis., and their children; and nephew, Don R. (Faye) Owen of Maiden Rock, Wis., and their children.

His parents, Richard and Ethel; a brother, Billy; as well as a brother-in-law, Gordon Owen, all preceded Donald in death.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Donald's name are encouraged to do so to Wesley United Methodist Church or the Marshfield Clinic.

Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com for your convenience.

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