OBIT: Joseph G. WEAKLAND, 1946, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JOSEPH G. WEAKLAND
Jos. G. Weakland Meyersdale P.M. Has Passed Away
Died in Cumberland Jan. 15, After Five Weeks Critical Illness

  News of the death of Postmaster Joseph G. Weakland in Cumberland, Md., at 6 
o'clock a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15th, came as a surprise and shock to many of his 
friends.
  While many had missed his cheery greetings on the streets and in the post 
office for several weeks, and some had known that he had gone to Cumberland 
before Christmas for a physical check-up and medical treatment, few knew that he 
was critically ill.
  His health had been failing since October but no one heard him complain, or 
could tell by his manner that he was not feeling well.  To the public he always 
maintained the same cordial and cheerful exterior.
  He was admitted to the hospital Dec. 9th and his condition improved so much in 
the next few weeks that he was permitted to leave the hospital to recuperate and 
spent the holidays in the home of his friend, Margaret C. O'Donnell, a teacher 
in Mt. Royal school, with whom he was united in marriage on the 3rd day of 
January.  He was tenderly cared for by his bride, both before and after their 
marriage, but in spite of her care and the best of medical attention, his health 
continued to decline until he peacefully passed away last Tuesday morning.
  The youngest of the five sons of the late Levi and Margaret (Thomas) Weakland, 
Joseph G. Weakland was born in Confluence 61 years ago.  The family moved to 
Meyersdale when he was still quite young, and he spent most of his life here.  
When still in his teens he had the misfortune of having his right leg badly 
crippled in a coasting accident, which caused him much suffering and handicapped 
him in his physical activities the remainder of his life.
  Nevertheless he acquired a good education and was one of the best read and 
well informed citizens of Meyersdale.  He was a lover of good literature and was 
an interesting conversationalist on most subjects.  His disposition was jovial 
and friendly to a marked degree, so that he was well liked by all who knew him.
  Mr. Weakland's appointment as postmaster of Meyersdale by President Franklin 
D. Roosevelt took effect on July 4, 1934, as successor to W. S. Livengood, who 
had served nearly 9 1/2 years by appointment by President Calvin Coolidge.  Mr. 
Weakland had served 11 1/2 years as P.M. at the time of his death.
  After the death of Mr. Weakland's aged parents and all of his five sisters and 
one brother, Joseph Weakland and his brother John, continued to live in the 
Weakland family home on Meyers Ave.  He has two other brothers surviving, 
William J. Weakland of Charleston, W.Va., and Francis Weakland of San Diego, 
Cal.
  The deceased postmaster's body was prepared for burial by Morticians W. C. 
Price & Son and lay in state at the Weakland home Wednesday afternoon, where 
many friends called to pay their respects.
  Mr. Weakland was a member of SS. Philip and James Catholic Church of 
Meyersdale, where requiem mass was celebrated by the rector, Rev. Father Thomas 
J. Houghton, this (Thursday) morning.  The obsequies were very impressive and 
largely attended.  Interment was made in the church cemetery, under the 
direction of Price & Son.
  Nearest surviving relatives present at the funeral were the widow, Mrs. 
Margaret O'Donnell Weakland of Cumberland, and two of the surviving brothers, 
William J. Weakland of Charleston, W.Va., and John of Meyersdale.
  The post office was closed during the hour of the funeral and the entire staff 
of P.O. employees attended the obsequies of their chief.
  Mr. Weakland was a director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National 
Association of Postmasters and was well acquainted with James A. Farley, former 
postmaster general.
  Since the retirement of Miss Elizabeth Dia as assistant postmaster of 
Meyersdale, no one has been appointed to that position.  Therefore, the 
Meyersdale post office is now functioning without an executive in charge.  But 
there has been no let-down in the service.
  Postmaster Weakland had a very efficient staff of helpers, and during the 
Christmas rush, when the work was very heavy and all the while during Mr. 
Weakland's illness and since his death, the business of the office has been 
conducted very efficiently by the staff, consisting of the following members: 
Mrs. Jeanne Hartley Wetzel, accountant; E. C. Naugle, senior clerk; George L. 
Brown, Homer and Orland McKenzie, Ralph Yoder and Ted Baer, clerks, John Blocher 
and Ralph Rosenberger, city carriers; W. L. Dahl, Lawrence Hartle and Karl 
Christner, rural carriers; Ed. A. Miller, messenger, Robert Downie, custodian of 
the building and janitor, and Ray Ebaugh, assistant janitor.

Meyersdale Republican, January 17, 1946