Former Dexter mayor, Joe Weber, dies at 89

The City of Dexter and the surrounding community lost a local icon Monday night. Longtime business owner and Dexter’s former mayor, Joe Weber, died at the age of 89 following a lengthy illness.

Joe Weber 1930 - 2019 Statesman file photo

Weber was the third generation of his family to own and operate Weber’s Ben Franklin in downtown Dexter. He served the city as mayor from 2002 until 2018.

A proud veteran and a colorful character, Weber will long be remembered for numerous contributions within the local community. He served for many years on the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, Lions Club, the Airport Board, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served on Dexter’s Board of Aldermen in the 1960s.

“He was a great man,” said City Administrator Mark Stidham Tuesday morning. “He will go down as one of our best mayors as far as I’m concerned.”

Weber was a lifelong resident of Dexter, having graduated from Dexter High School in 1948. He later attended what is now Southeast Missouri State University. When the Korean War broke out, he enlisted in the Air Force. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, he trained to be a fighter pilot. He would go on to fly 100 missions in the war, earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant before returning stateside to finish his military service as a flight instructor in Panama City.

Along with his service record, Weber was perhaps most proud of his role in establishing the Stoddard County ARC. Along with his late wife, Joyce, and several others, the ARC became a reality to serve those with special needs. He would eventually serve as president of the Missouri ARC and later work to organize a vote in Stoddard County that resulted in the formation of Senate Bill 40, which still serves to provide funding for the developmentally delayed. He served as chairman of the SB40 committee for many years, until ill health forced his retirement in recent years.

After serving on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank in Dexter for 15 years, Weber was named bank president in 1983. He served in that position until 1997.

Weber was also instrumental in the efforts to establish a hospital in the city. Dexter Memorial Hospital became a reality in 1968 and was dedicated with then Gov. Warren Hearnes and Vice President Hubert Humphrey in attendance.

“I’m saddened by the loss,” said Jason Banken Tuesday. Banken succeeded Weber in the mayor role in 2018. “He was a great man and a great role model for the city of Dexter.”

Among his many accolades, Weber was honored as Dexter’s Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2017 and was bestowed the Veterans Service Award in 2016 by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder for his lifetime volunteerism and contributions to the community.