John C. Von Weiland

On January 13, 2018, the world lost a great man. John von Weiland was not famous or well known, but to the lucky few who were blessed to know him, he was our ROCK.
Hard work, Responsibility, and Integrity are just a few of the lessons he modeled for us daily. Family was the most important thing in the world to him and if he considered you a friend, he would move mountains for you. He had a take-charge personality and knew how to unite people to get a job done.
John had a successful career in Asset Management and enjoyed working for Mellon Bank, Trammel Crow and the Prince of Germany. Through hard work and dedication, he worked his way up in his career to executive level positions. But, his impressive resume does not tell his story.
John was a renaissance man who enjoyed remodeling homes, cooking, drawing, and music. He was an incredible dancer. He had a love for classic cars and attended any car show he could. He was just as comfortable in jeans as he was in his business suit. No matter where he was, he was always "doing something". John knew how to do many things, but relaxing was not one of them! He was most happy when he was providing for and doing things for his family.
John liked to feel needed. He prided himself on being a good husband and father. He loved being able to offer advice or lend a hand. "Love" was a verb to John and required action. "Actions speak louder than words" was one of his favorite quotes.
John loved his wife, Sharon with a depth that most could not comprehend. Towards the end of his life, when dementia had taken most of his words, his heart always found a way to tell her he loved her. She'd walk into his room and say, "How ya doing today honey?" and his answer was always, "Better now that you're here". He always told his children, "Marry your best friend". It made him very happy and gave him great comfort that they all followed that advice.
John was proud of his children and was always excited to tell people about his son John, and daughters Renee and Sonja. There was nothing he enjoyed more than to have all of his kids in one house laughing and telling jokes, and there was nothing they enjoyed more than making him laugh. He truly felt that his children were his greatest accomplishments. As a father, he was strict but fair. He always tried to use each moment as an opportunity to teach his kids something important, whether they were receptive or not. He raised his children with the understanding that there are
behaviors that were expected and that there were consequences for misbehavior. He expected good manners and respect at all times, and generally that's exactly what he got.
For as strict as he was as a parent, he changed his ways when he became a Poppy. From the beginning, Hunter was his partner in crime and favorite companion. Whatever Hunter wanted to do, Poppy was ready to make it happen. John taught Hunter to fish and swim. He enjoyed just going for a drive or a long walk with Hunter and hearing what was on his mind. No matter what the outing, it generally ended with a trip to Dairy Queen. When Hunter competed in sports, he attended every practice, game or meet that he could. One of the greatest things that John passed along to his grandson is his patriotism.
John was very proud of his service in the United States Air Force. Some of his best memories were of his time in the service. He was very proud to be an American and to have served his country. Patriotic songs always brought a tear to his eye.
John was a giver and a helper and would go out of his way to help anyone who needed assistance. He watched for opportunities to help. No matter the need, if he thought that he could help, he was there. For this reason, his family is asking that in lieu of flowers, friends and family honor him by performing a Random Act of Kindness. It will comfort them to know that John's kindness and helping spirit lives on in his family and friends. Alternatively, donations can be made to Crossroads Hospice (www.crhcf,org), who were an incredible comfort to John's family.
The family has chosen to mourn privately and no services are planned. They felt that the best way that they could honor him was to do what he enjoyed most, spending time together as a family laughing and crying together. They will take this time to reminisce about the wonderful memories that they have of him, taking comfort in the family that he built.
John is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; his children and their spouses, John and Debbie, Renee and Lance, and Sonja and John; the apple of his eye, his grandson Hunter and two bonus grandsons, William and Josh; Norman, a cousin and friend, and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Chuck Collins; his sister, Laureen Davis; and his brothers, Jim Weiland and Brian Heckman.