Dave was a loving and supportive father to Lynette Weber, and Don (Christine) Weber, beloved Grandpa to Isaac (Kati) Weber and former husband of Pauline Weber (Brubacher). He was pre-deceased by his parents Orphen and Katherine Weber (Cressman) from Mannheim, and also by his dear sister Mary Yoder (Weber) & brother-in-law Ray Yoder of Goshen, Indiana.
Dave is survived by his three siblings: twin sisters Vera Martin (Earl, deceased) and Verna Weber, and brother Lewis Weber (Marg). His many nieces, nephews and their children were a valued part of the Weber clan. Dave lived the last 7 years at Barnswallow Place long-term care residence in Elmira, and the family is grateful for the excellent care he received there.
His strong Mennonite family grew up, expanded above 30 people and still got together and bonded twice a year for many years. We visited in various homes near Christmas or American Thanksgiving, and at Earl and Vera Martin's farm for memorable summer campouts by the pond. Don and Lynette will never forget these camp outs, marked by tire swings, badminton, air mattress trains, splash contests, KFC dinners and family outdoor church on Sunday morning.
Dave loved being a Dad and leading his family on many camping trips near and far. He shared his love of the outdoors, especially chipmunks and oversized camp fires, with us and we will always be grateful for that. Far flung camping destinations included Maine, West Virginia, Letchworth Park in NY state (where chicken pox and a wire clothesline mishap found the kids), and long trips around the perimeters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. In later years, he adorned his long-term campsites at Elora with tarps, gadgets and flowers around the trees. Grandson Isaac has fond memories of camping out at Elora with Grandpa, although he was quite worried about bears one night when Grandpa was snoring.
Dave had a tougher second half of life, and was open about his struggles with mental health. When moving to Kitchener in the late 90's because of this, he lived in supportive housing at Eby Village and became involved as a participant and then part time worker with a self-help group for mental health. He was also an outreach worker at St. John's Soup Kitchen. He really valued contributing to the community that way.
Son Don lives in Kitchener and was glad to help out and give living and health supports as possible, having many breakfasts out and keeping in touch. Daughter Lynette and grandson Isaac have always lived outside the Kitchener area, but also visited and supported Dave. The staff at Eby Village were great, and Dave was involved on residents council. Dave's health deteriorated to the point where he had to move to long term care in 2007. He improved there with regular care and nutrition and its benefit to his diabetes. Many thanks to Barnswallow Place (Leisure World) staff in Elmira for his care over the last 7 years.
We will miss you, Dad. It’s hard to say goodbye, but we know that we will be with you again and you will be the perfect version of you. Thank you for putting up tents that withstood wild thunderstorms, rigging up crazy tarp structures, being a fearless euchre player, flying kites on fishing poles, and tirelessly flinging us into the water. We are so grateful. Bye Dad, see you up there.