Wayne William Weeke, 88, of Town & Country, MO, born Monday, November 11, 1935, in St. Louis, MO, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Saint Louis, MO. Wayne, a gentleman and a “gentle man.” Those who knew Wayne recognized his generous and honorable qualities. His greatest love was his family and his steadfast Faith in God. At the last moments on earth he was surrounded by his family and their endless love for him.
Wayne graduated from Belleville High School, and later Westminster College in Fulton, MO, where he met his wife, Sharon. Next, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as Engineering Officer on the U.S.S. Sarsfield in Key West, FL. He reveled in his lifelong love of anything to do with “water experiences,” with his ocean assignment. Next Wayne and Sharon returned to Belleville, IL, where Wayne assumed the business of directing Weeke Wholesale Company, a family business started by his father, Oscar Weeke, in 1913.
He went on to many leadership roles in the community, state and national scene; including President of the State of Illinois Candy and Tobacco Association, and President of the National Association of Candy Distributors. He then combined the Tobacco and Candy Associations into the American Wholesale Marketing Association, in Washington, D. C. Along with his son, Scott Weeke, he continued the direction of Weeke Wholesale Company.
Wayne’s second “career” was contributing to various Boards of Directors, in the Belleville area, including the Magna Bank Board, Bank of Belleville Board and formation and Board of Directors of the West Point Bank & Trust. He was President of two Lutheran Church congregations and the Signal Hill School Board. His love of the water continued with living “on the water” at the Lake of the Ozarks and Hawaii. Wayne enjoyed and loved the many friends and associates he made at home and throughout the country.
Wayne leaves a legacy of love and joy for all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Son: Douglas Glenn Weeke
- Parents: Oscar & Corina, nee Meier, Weeke
Surviving are his:
- Wife of 66 years: Sharon L., nee Gladson, Weeke of Town & Country, MO
- Children
- Alyson (Dr. John) Bradfield of Middletown, MD
- Elizabeth (Ralf) Nosic of Defiance, MO
- Scott (Susan) Weeke of Irvine, CA
- Grandchildren
- Natasha (Scott) Dunwoody
- Stefan (Maggie) Nosic
- Nicolette (Matthew) Bigham
- Dr. Connor (Sarah) Bradfield
- Alex Weeke (fiancé, Ryan Neighbors)
- Justin (Carlie) Bradfield
- Great grandchildren
- Ivana Dunwoody
- Glenn Dunwoody
- Theo Bigham
- Charlotte Bigham
- Adeline Reichle-Bradfield
Memorials:Memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society or Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017.
Funeral:Private family services were held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MO. Interment at Trinity Cemetery in Chesterfield, MO.
