Obituary

Obituary

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John "Steve" Weaver of Hanover entered God's eternal care on October 27, 2022, at UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg.

Born August 15, 1947, in Hanover, he was the son of the late Mary K. (Linton) Hershey and Merle Weaver. Steve was a handful growing up, sneaking out of the house, smoking cigarettes, and getting into trouble. While his parents loved him unconditionally, he certainly tested their patience on multiple occasions.

Steve would be the first to tell you that he was not the best student, and to his parent's relief, he graduated, without honors, from South Western High School in 1965. Shortly after, his love of country led him to enlist in the United States Navy. He took pride in his service working onboard submarines and aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War. While the war forever changed him, it did not deter him from living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

In 1972, he married his love, Drema J. (Reichart) Weaver, and had two sons, Shannon, in 1972 and Chad, in 1975.

Much to the dismay of Drema, Steve taught his boys the essential things in life, like burping and farting at inappropriate times, and that chocolate cake is the perfect breakfast food. He doled out tough love when needed and always lent his boys a compassionate ear and timely words of wisdom.

He lived for his sons and was their biggest cheerleader, never missing school concerts, plays, football games, baseball games, wrestling matches, and track meets. While his sons attended Hanover High School, he played an active role in the school's Athletic Booster Club and even served as their president.

In 1997 he became a grandparent for the first time, and again in 2012. Steve cherished every minute he had with them and knew his role; get them anything they wanted, load them up with sugar, and hand them back to the parents.

Steve's most significant battle was in 2017 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He faced it head-on, and in 2018 he got knocked down hard. His family wasn't sure he would get back up, but like Rocky Balboa pulling off the Christmas miracle in 1985 against Ivan Drago, he persevered, becoming a cancer survivor.

In 2020, he realized that he had a higher calling, which led him to join the congregation of Life Discovery Church in McSherrystown. The church became a second family to him, where he served as a surrogate father, grandfather, brother, or just a friend to many of its members. Steve was at his happiest, serving the Lord and helping others.

It's challenging to find someone that didn't know Steve. Always the social butterfly with a coffee in hand, his beverage of choice; the never-shy Steve would regale you with humorous, sometimes bawdy jokes and hard-to-believe true-life stories. While he might have embellished a few of his tales, it's hard to doubt Steve's passion for life and the people living in it.

He enjoyed movies, watching television (especially Yellowstone), traveling, reading, and religiously followed Penn State Football, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Orioles. In the past year, he developed a love for the Savannah Bananas baseball team, and in celebration of his 75th birthday, he traveled to Savannah and met the entire team.

For over 20 years, he worked at Caterpillar Inc. in York and retired working security at the United States Army War College in Carlisle.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Drema J. (Reichart) Weaver, in 2020 and a son, Shannon M. Weaver, in 2018.

Surviving is one son, Chad S. Weaver of Austell, GA; one brother, D. Lynn Weaver and his wife, Edith Weaver of McSherrytown; two grandchildren, Kaegan and Patrick Weaver; daughter-in-law, Jennifer L. Weaver; and two sisters-in-law, Shelby Hess and Connie Hohf, all of Hanover. He also leaves behind countless friends and family members that loved him dearly.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, with Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos officiating. Friends and relatives will be received on Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Murphy-Beck Funeral Home, 501 Ridge Avenue, McSherrystown.

At noon on Saturday, November 12, 2022, a memorial service will be held at Life Discovery Church at 414 Main St. McSherrystown. All are welcome to celebrate the extraordinary life of this exceptional man.

In place of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's memory to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at www.ccalliance.org or Life Discovery Church in McSherrystown at www.lifediscovery.org.

Share condolences at www.beckfunerals.com.

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