Gene Weece

Gene Weece, 85, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville on Thursday, November 26, 2020.

Harvey Eugene Weece was born in Cimarron, Kansas, on April 30, 1935, the son of Leonard and Mae (Gardner) Weece, who preceded him in death.  He was reared on a farm in the Cimarron area, where he graduated from high school.  He then attended Ozark Christian College to prepare for his calling as a pastor.  He played tennis and basketball in high school and participated in those activities in college.  Gene married Donita Burr in Dodge City, Kansas, on January 20, 1956, and she survives.

Gene began a long and faithful career as a pastor after college.  He served in Stockton, Missouri; Flagstaff, Arizona; Carterville, Missouri; Aurora, Colorado; O’Fallon, Missouri; and Unionville, Missouri, where he was called to Unionville First Christian Church in 1993 and served for 27 years.  Gene was gifted in all aspects of ministry.  He was a good teacher of God’s word, a wise leader, and faithful to visit the sick and lonely.  As pastor in a small town, he was a pastor to the whole community.  He often visited community members in hospitals everywhere, even if they were not members of his church.  He served on several community boards and agencies and was a constant presence at school activities.  He did numerous weddings and funerals.  He had a gentle and kind spirit and God used him for effective ministry wherever he served. Gene enjoyed all sports and served as a tennis coach in college as well as coaching his sons in Little League.  He and Donita fostered Navajo children while in Arizona.

In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by four children: Phil (Karen) Weece, of Arkansas City, Kansas, Paul (Julie) Weece of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Susan (Pedro) Castro, Unionville, Missouri, and Sarah (Doug) Modlin of Massillon, Ohio.  His surviving grandchildren are Josh (Corrine) Weece, Tanner Weece, Titus (Grace) Weece, Morgan Weece, Austin (Melea) Weece, Kelsey (Logan) Klick, Taylor Modlin, and Amber Modlin.  He is also survived by eight great grandchildren: Quan, Sadie, Olivia, Samuel, Russell, Troian, Leo, and Paula, with two on the way.  His surviving siblings are Leon Weece of Miami, Oklahoma, Helen Weece of Unionville, Missouri, Elsie Moore of Wake Village, Texas, and Rose (Woody) Wilkinson, Webb City, Missouri as well as sister-in-law Carol Weece of Carthage, Missouri.

Gene was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Elaine Weece, and a still born son, Timothy Weece.  He was also preceded in death by sisters Louise (husband Sam) Tate, Linda Weece, and Cynthia Weece, brothers Don (and wife Jean) Weece, and Roy Weece, and brother-in-law Don Moore.

Funeral services for Gene Weece will be at Unionville First Christian Church in Unionville, Missouri, at 10:00 am Friday, December 4, 2020, with visitation at the church from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 3, 2020.  Facial coverings will be required at both events and health safety protocols will be followed.  The services will be live streamed on the Facebook page of First Christian Church of Unionville.  Please call 947-2205 for information on streaming. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery in Unionville, Missouri.

Memorials are suggested to Ozark Christian College and may be entrusted with Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th , Unionville, MO 63565.