Wayne Daniel Weber, 80 years old, of Lemont, IL, passed away on October 19, 2022, following complications related to cardiac surgery. He was born to Frank and Esther Weber of Chicago on October 30, 1941. Wayne, the 3rd of 6 children, grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools. He graduated from Calumet High School in 1959 and then Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State University) in 1964. As active members of Washington Heights Gospel Chapel, many family activities revolved around church life. Wayne committed his life to Christ at a young age and spent his life serving others. Growing up, Wayne loved an adventure. He was a Silver Eagle Explorer Scout, traveled across the U.S. with his family, and backpacked through Europe with his brother Glenn.

Wayne fell in love with Sharon Lee through the Southside chapels’ “young people’s group” activities and counseling at Circle Y Ranch Bible Camp. They were married on December 21, 1968. As a young married couple they served as active members and Sunday school teachers at Laflin Street Gospel Hall and enjoyed many trips to Sharon’s family home in Reynolds, Missouri with their nieces and nephews.

In 1972, Wayne and Sharon moved to Lemont, IL where they lived until his death. During these years, they were blessed with two daughters Rebecca Lee Weber and Elizabeth Amy (Weber) Peszat. As a family, they road-tripped through more than 30 states, visiting national parks and stopping at countless cemeteries to fuel Wayne’s passion for genealogy. A highlight of each summer was their week at Conference Point Family Camp, where Wayne served as a Convenor and Treasurer for many years.

Wayne was employed as an elementary school teacher at Perkins-Bass Elementary School in Chicago for 30 years. After retiring from teaching, he turned his genealogy hobby into a career with his dream job at the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College. He served as Reference Archivist there for 17 years, finally retiring in 2011.

Wayne was never one to stay idle. During his retirement, he served as treasurer of the Chicago Genealogy Society and active member of multiple other archival communities. He researched family history for not only the Weber and Lee/Anderson families but also his pastor, neighbor, and many friends. Wayne was eager to share his love for family history with anyone he met. He loved spending time with his grandson Ryder, enthusiastically playing board games, coloring, or watching movies together. He was a surrogate grandfather to Isaiah, Matthew, Jacob, and Olivia Wellman, attending countless football and volleyball games and serving as a homework tutor.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Weber and Esther (Farmer) Weber, his brother Norman Weber, his brother Burton Weber, his brother-in-law Peter Song, and his grandson Philip Wayne Peszat. He is survived by his sister Valerie Song, his brother Glenn (Dorothy) Weber, his brother Donald (Maria) Weber, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is also survived by Sharon, his wife of 53 years, his two daughters Rebecca Weber of Darien and Elizabeth (Phil) Peszat of Wauconda, and his grandson Philip Ryder.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at LaGrange Bible Church (850 7th Ave, La Grange, IL 60525) at 3pm. Visitation will be from 1-3pm. A private burial service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in memory of Wayne D. Weber to one of the following ministries:

• Conference Point Center, 300 Conference Point Rd, Williams Bay, WI 53191,
  • Go to lgyc.org/give
  • Click on the “Give” button under Capital Campaign Giving.
  • Under “Leave a comment” write, “A Memorial Gift to Conference Point in Wayne Weber’s memory.”
• Emmaus Bible College, https://www.emmaus.edu/stand-with-us

Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home 630/964-6500.