Clare Weber

Clare Weber passed away on April 4, 2024.

Clare was born on March 22, 1946, in Salem Township, MI to Clarence and Wanda Weber. He attended school in the Burnips and Hudsonville school districts. He married Marcia Kruithoff on November 6, 1970, and together raised two sons, Troy and Seth.

He was a member of Beechwood Reformed Church where he served in a variety of capacities, taking on more responsibilities as his time allowed later in life. Those close to him enjoyed watching his faith grow, particularly in the last 25 years.

Clare served in the US Army from 1965-1968, starting in Germany as a helicopter mechanic before heading to Vietnam. There he was designated as a maintenance manager, and to the unfortunate duties of door gunner on infiltrations and rescue evacuations. Heavily involved in the Tet Offensive, he didn’t speak much about his experiences in Vietnam other than the highlight of learning how to fly Huey’s as the pilots would teach him.

After being honorably discharged, he returned to civilian life where he was employed at Bareman's Dairy in distribution management, along with development of the company. He finished his long career in the dairy industry as the safety administrator at Meijer Holland (formerly Bareman's).

Clare and Marcia loved to spend time outside and travel with family, enjoying summer weekends on the boat, camping, and always a memorable summer trip. In their retirement years, they lived out their dreams traveling throughout the United States in the “coach”, and staying south in the winters to be warm. They also took advantage of regular trips to Colorado and Hawai'i to visit with their boys’ families while watching their grandkids grow. Clare held so much pride in his "boys", their accomplishments, and their families.

As a passionate deer hunter, Clare only missed one Opening Day in 40+ years while he was in treatment for cancer. Just weeks after he finally reached retirement, he dropped the largest buck of his life, a large Michigan 11 point which he gladly shared the story about with anyone interested. He deeply enjoyed nature and being in the woods, the art of the hunt, and the time there with his hunting brothers. Others at his camp recall his daily positive habit of early morning devotions and prayer.

He was a driven man with a positive outlook for the future, surviving two heart attacks and beating cancer. Devoted to his wife Marcia, his sons Troy and Seth, he was honored to support them on any level they needed him. Clare also showed this respect to family and friends giving what he could whenever they needed it.

Clare is survived by his beautiful and loving wife Marcia of 53 years, son's Troy (Jess) Weber, Seth (Nina) Weber, his four grandchildren, Sienna, Donovan, Sahara, and Bode, brother Gary (Sherill) Weber, sister Marie (Jim) Wodarek, inlaws, Karen and Ed Bezilla, Peggy and Dennis Deyoung, Tom and Karen Kruithoff, Rita Kruithoff, Bruce and Lynn Kruithoff. He was preceded in death by sister, Jean Rettig and brother in law, Steven Krutihoff.

Visitation will take place Thursday, 4/11/2024, 4-6 pm at Beechwood Reformed Church (895 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI). A funeral service with military honors will take place on Friday, 4/12/2024, 11:00 am at Beechwood Church. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Charitable contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.