J. Alan Weis, 83, of 147 East Oilwell Street, St. Marys, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 6:20 PM, at Penn Highlands Elk, after a lengthy illness.
He was born July 21, 1932, in St. Marys, son of the late John and Thelma Wright Weis. He was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Central Catholic High School as co-class President in 1950. He was a retired chief operator of the St. Marys Sewage Treatment Plant, retiring in 1994 after 25 years of service.
On September 2, 1961, in the St. Mary’s Church with Fr. Chrysostom Schlimm, his brother-in-law, officiating, he married Helene M. Schlimm, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Celine Ann Huff and her husband Craig of St. Marys; three sons, Mark A. Weis and his wife Michele of Pittsburgh, John V. “Jack” Weis of Kersey, and Kieran Weis of Ridgway; six grandchildren, Jonathan Weis and his wife Sarah, Joshua Weis, Kayla Weis, Ryan Weis, Taylor Huff, and Jordan Huff; one great grandson, Charlie Weis; a sister, Mary Fedorko and her husband Fritz of Montoursville, PA; and a brother, Kevin “Gary” Weis of New York City.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard, who passed away at birth.
After graduating from high school, Alan started his career as a machinist and tool and die maker at Seel Tool and Die. He was always concerned and interested in the environment, so in 1961, he accepted a position at the newly built waste water treatment plant as an assistant operator. Eventually, he became the chief operator of the facility for 25 years. Also, he worked at the St. Marys Community Pool as a maintenance personnel responsible for all repairs required for opening and closing the facility for 28 years.
In addition, Alan was a member of the Knights of Columbus in St. Marys, holding the position of Grand Knight from 1961-1962, a fourth degree member and a 50 year member, which gave him the honor and distinction of being an honorary life member. As a community service project, Alan was responsible for the erection and maintenance of the Nativity that was on display on the Diamond every Christmas season for the past 40 years. He was also a member of the Sacred Heart Church.
In his spare time, Alan enjoyed going to his camp, bowling, playing tennis, gardening, traveling in the USA and abroad, and spending time with his six grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at 9:30 AM, with his brother-in-law, Rev. Chrysostom Schlimm, OSB, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday evening, December 18, 2015, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the American Heart Association, 823 Filmore Avenue, Erie, PA 16505 or to the Knights of Columbus, 3 Washington Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.