Joseph Roy Thomas Weigel

Joseph Roy Thomas Weigel, age 80, of Ft. Wayne, IN, died on November 23, 2021. Born in Williamsport, PA in 1941, he moved to Ft. Wayne in 1956 and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1959. Joe retired from the United States Air Force / Air National Guard as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) totaling 30 years 8 months and 8 days of active duty and reserve military service. He enjoyed the military training and travel it offered, both in and outside the US.

Joe traveled to Europe several times, Central America twice, the Persian Gulf, Argentina in South America, and throughout the US, including Alaska and Hawaii, on numerous military deployments. He retired in 2001 from his civilian job with the City of Ft.Wayne Parks and Recreation Department totaling 34 years 11 months of service, with his last position as Working Leader of Building and Grounds. He was a proud member of IBEW Local 723, the union that represented the Parks Department Maintenance workers; he was a Union Steward, Bargaining Committee member, and a past member of IBEW 723 Executive Board; he was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and American Legion Post 241 in Waynedale (Ft.Wayne). 

In 2005 Joe achieved his goal of flying around the world leaving Ft. Wayne for Chicago and spending three weeks in Eastern Europe. He went on to Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, spending a few nights in each city, returning through US Customs in California to Chicago, and then home to Ft. Wayne.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Mary Jo (Motter) Weigel; twin daughters, Margaret Jo (Travis) Kraick and Jennifer Jo (Christopher) Howard; granddaughter, Gabriella Sophia Howard; step-granddaughter, Kendyl Kraick, all of Ft. Wayne; brothers, Lorenzo A. of Louisville, KY, Carl R. (Vladimira) of Mesquite, NV; sisters, Rita A. Kugler, of Bradenton, FL, Mary E. McMichael of New Haven, IN; plus numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. 

Joe was preceded in death by his son, Peter Joseph Paul Weigel at age 2 1/2 in 1975; granddaughter, Christina Jo Howard in 2006; mother, Agatha Marie Weigel, of Ft. Wayne; father, Lorenzo P. Weigel of Williamsport, PA; brothers, Lee P. of Ft. Wayne, and Earl H. of Dallas, PA; sisters, Elaine D. Strain, of Ft. Wayne and Marie H. Ide, of Warsaw, IN.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4545 Fairfield Ave., Ft. Wayne, IN, with calling one hour prior. 

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Monday, November 29, 2021, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, IN. 

Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, IN with Military Tribute.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Ft. Wayne as well as Masses in his name.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.